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China Sends 70 Athletes to Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics The Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics, set to begin on Friday, will see China send a 167-member delegation, including 70 athletes competing across six sports. The delegation’s participation underscores China’s growing presence in winter Paralympic events, with athletes aiming to secure medals and promote the development of para-sports nationwide. The six sports include Para ice hockey, wheelchair curling, Para alpine skiing, Para snowboard, Para cross-country skiing, and Para biathlon. Among the athletes, 62 have prior Paralympic experience, blending seasoned expertise with the energy of younger competitors. The team’s average age is 27, with the oldest athlete at 40 and the youngest at 18. The International Paralympic Committee reports that over 600 athletes from 52 countries will compete in 79 events, marking the 50th anniversary of the Winter Paralympics. The Chinese delegation’s flag-bearers for the opening ceremony are Para alpine skier Liu Sitong and para snowboarder Ji Lijia. Liu, from Liaoning Province, earned silver in the women’s sitting giant slalom and three bronzes in downhill, super combined, and slalom at the 2022 Beijing Winter Paralympics. She will compete in five alpine skiing events at Milano Cortina. Ji, from Hebei Province, won gold in the men’s UL snowboard cross and silver in the banked slalom at Beijing 2022 and will return to the same events in 2026. China’s rise in winter Paralympic sports has accelerated since hosting the 2022 Winter Paralympics, where it topped the medal table with 18 golds, 20 silvers, and 23 bronzes. At Milano Cortina, the nation aims to challenge traditional leaders like Norway, the U.S., and Austria while expanding its dominance from summer to winter events.#china #liu_sitong #ji_lijia #milano_cortina_2026 #wang_haitao

China Announces Flagbearers for Milano Cortina Winter Paralympics China has officially selected para Alpine skier Liu Sitong and para snowboarder Ji Lijia as the country’s flagbearers for the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Paralympics. The announcement was made by the Chinese delegation on Thursday, marking the first step in preparations for the event. Liu Sitong, 31, will compete in her third Winter Paralympics, having previously participated in the 2018 PyeongChang Games and the 2022 Beijing Winter Paralympics. During the 2022 event, she secured a silver medal in the women’s slalom and three bronze medals across other events. She will take part in five para Alpine disciplines at Milano Cortina, a demanding schedule that requires both physical endurance and mental resilience. Ji Lijia, 23, is a rising star in para snowboarding. He claimed gold in the men’s snowboard cross SB-UL and silver in the banked slalom SB-UL at the 2022 Beijing Winter Paralympics. Building on his success, Ji won both events at the 2025 World Championships, solidifying his status as a top contender. At Milano Cortina, he will compete in both snowboard cross and banked slalom, showcasing his versatility and skill. The opening ceremony of the Winter Paralympics is scheduled for Friday in Verona, Italy, where athletes from around the world will gather to celebrate the spirit of the Games. The event will serve as a symbolic start to the competition, highlighting the determination and excellence of Paralympic athletes. Both Liu and Ji represent China’s growing strength in winter Paralympic sports, with their achievements reflecting years of dedication and training. Their roles as flagbearers underscore their importance to the nation’s delegation and their contributions to the global Paralympic movement.#china #liu_sitong #ji_lijia #milano_cortina_winter_paralympics #verona

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Milano Cortina Winter Paralympics 2026: Full schedule and disciplines as 665 athletes from 56 nations compete The 14th Winter Paralympic Games will officially open in Italy on March 6, 2026, with a grand ceremony at the historic Verona Arena. This edition of the event, hosted across Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo, and Val di Fiemme, marks a significant milestone for para sport as 665 athletes from 56 countries gather to compete in six winter disciplines. The Games will run from March 6 to March 15, featuring 79 medal events and celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Winter Paralympics. The mascot for the event is Milo, a brown stoat symbolizing agility and resilience, while a new event—wheelchair curling mixed doubles—will debut. The competition will span ten days, with the opening ceremony on March 6 followed by the first medal events on March 7. Para Alpine Skiing Downhill and Para Biathlon Sprint races will kick off the action. Over the following days, athletes will compete in a variety of disciplines, including Para Snowboard, Para Ice Hockey, Para Cross-Country Skiing, and Para Biathlon. The schedule is designed to spread major events across the week to maximize global viewership. Key dates include the Para Snowboard Cross and Para Biathlon Middle Distance on March 8, followed by Para Alpine Skiing Super-G and Para Ice Hockey Group Stage matches on March 9. The week will also feature Para Alpine Combined and Para Cross-Country Sprint events on March 10. Wheelchair Curling Mixed Doubles Final and Para Cross-Country races will take place on March 11, with Para Alpine Giant Slalom on March 12. The final days will see Para Biathlon Individual and Para Snowboard Banked Slalom events on March 13, culminating in the Wheelchair Curling Mixed Team Final and Para Alpine Slalom on March 14.#milano_cortina_winter_paralympics_2026 #verona_arena #milan #cortina_dampezzo #val_di_fiemme

Celta Vigo vs Real Madrid: Prediction Highlights Struggles for Los Blancos Real Madrid faces another challenging encounter against Celta Vigo in La Liga as the hosts aim to extend their winning streak. Despite their recent efforts to reclaim the top spot, the reigning champions have struggled to maintain consistency, with a string of losses undermining their title ambitions. Analysts predict a tough match for Los Blancos, particularly with key players sidelined and defensive vulnerabilities exposed. Celta Vigo, on the other hand, enters the game in strong form, having secured four consecutive victories across all competitions. Their recent 2-1 win over Girona has boosted their hopes of qualifying for European competitions, and their attacking prowess has been evident, with 72% of their league goals coming in the second half. The team’s deep squad and rotation strategy have kept them competitive, with Borja Iglesias emerging as a key threat in attack. The 33-year-old forward, who has scored in three of his last five league matches, is expected to play a central role in this fixture. Real Madrid’s recent performances have raised concerns about their ability to close out matches. After briefly reclaiming the La Liga lead with a 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad, the team has since lost two consecutive games, including a surprising 1-0 home defeat to Getafe. These setbacks have exposed weaknesses in their attacking play, with their expected goals (xG) metrics falling short in key matches. The club’s struggles are compounded by injury concerns, with players like Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo, Eder Militao, and Kylian Mbappé sidelined, leaving limited options in the squad. The match at Balaidos is expected to be a high-scoring affair, with Celta Vigo’s attacking style and Real Madrid’s need for a win creating a volatile environment.#real_madrid #celta_vigo #borja_iglesias #girona #getafe

Celta Vigo vs Real Madrid: La Liga – teams, start, kickoff time, lineups Real Madrid faces a crucial La Liga match against Celta Vigo on Friday, March 5, at 9pm GMT, as the Spanish giants aim to recover from two consecutive league losses. The encounter at Balaidos Stadium in Vigo could be pivotal in the race for the top of the table, with Real trailing leaders Barcelona by four points. Coach Alvaro Arbeloa emphasized that the team’s focus is solely on the game against Celta, despite the challenges of recent setbacks. The last two matches for Real Madrid have been difficult, with a 2-1 defeat at Osasuna and a 1-0 loss to Getafe at the Bernabeu. These results have left the club in a precarious position, as they seek to close the gap to Barcelona. Arbeloa acknowledged the pressure but insisted the squad is determined to reverse their fortunes. “Defeat is always hard to handle at Real Madrid, but right now, the only thing we’re thinking about is tomorrow’s match,” he said. The team’s next challenge is a Champions League round-of-16 clash against Manchester City, but Arbeloa stressed that the immediate priority is the La Liga fixture. Celta Vigo, meanwhile, enters the match in strong form, having won four consecutive league games. The Galician side has also secured victories in the Europa League, showcasing their competitiveness. A win against Real Madrid could further solidify their position in the league table, though they face a formidable opponent. The match is set to be a test of resilience for both teams, with Real Madrid needing to overcome their recent struggles and Celta Vigo aiming to maintain their winning streak. The history between the two clubs is marked by high stakes.#real_madrid #celta_vigo #alvaro_arbeloa #balaidos_stadium #la_liga

Al-Hilal vs Al-Najma Match Preview and Analysis Al-Hilal, currently third in the Saudi Pro League table, faces a crucial match against bottom-of-the-table Al-Najma on Friday as they aim to maintain pressure on title contenders. The reigning champions, who had dominated the league with 14 wins in their first 16 games of the season, have slipped back after five draws in their last eight matches. This encounter presents an opportunity for Al-Hilal to strengthen their position in the title race, while Al-Najma will be desperate to secure a surprise result and avoid relegation. Al-Hilal’s squad faces some injury concerns, with Hamad Al-Yami and Saimon Bouabre sidelined. However, the club is hopeful of welcoming Karim Benzema back for the clash. Key players like Hassan Tambakti, Youssef Niacti, and Mohammed Kanoo are still undergoing fitness assessments, while Mohammed Al-Yami and Yusuf Akcicek remain doubtful. In contrast, Al-Najma’s only major absentee is Mohammed Al-Kunaydiri, recovering from a cruciate ligament injury, leaving the team with a relatively healthy squad. The match is expected to favor Al-Hilal, who have remained unbeaten in the Saudi Pro League this season. Their recent form includes a 5-3 victory over Al-Shabab and three clean sheets in their last six games. Al-Najma, however, have struggled throughout the campaign, scoring just 22 goals in 24 matches and failing to find the net in three of their last seven outings. Their away record is particularly poor, with only two points earned from a possible 36 in road games. Al-Hilal’s attacking prowess, highlighted by Ruben Neves’ 10 goals in 22 appearances, should pose a significant threat to Al-Najma’s defense. The visitors’ inability to score consistently could prove costly against one of the league’s strongest teams.#saudi_pro_league #al_najma #al_hilal #ruben_neves #mohammed_al_yami

Inzaghi: "We are waiting for Al-Hilal fans tomorrow" Simone Inzaghi, the head coach of Al-Hilal, spoke during a press conference ahead of the team’s upcoming match against Al-Najma in the 25th round of the Roshn League. The Italian coach highlighted the significance of the game, emphasizing that Al-Hilal is fully prepared and focused for the encounter. Inzaghi mentioned that the final selection of players for the match will be made after today’s training session. He acknowledged the recent improvements in Al-Najma’s performance, which he attributed to changes in the club’s coaching staff. Inzaghi stressed the need for Al-Hilal to maintain concentration and avoid distractions during the match. The coach also addressed the team’s fans directly, expressing hope that they would attend the game to support the players. He stated that both the squad and himself are eager to see their supporters in the stands. Inzaghi also mentioned Hamad Al-Yami, a player who recently underwent surgery in Finland. He conveyed his well wishes for Al-Yami’s recovery, calling the player a professional and expressing optimism about his return to the team. The match against Al-Najma represents a crucial moment in the league campaign, with both teams vying for strong positions in the standings. Inzaghi’s comments reflect the team’s determination to secure a positive result while acknowledging the challenges posed by their opponents.#al_najma #simone_inzaghi #al_hilal #roshn_league #hamad_al_yami

Al-Hilal vs Al-Najma - Prediction, Team News, Lineups Al-Hilal SFC will host Al-Najma at the Kingdom Arena on Friday in Matchday 25 of the Saudi Pro League, aiming to sustain their position in the title race. The hosts, currently third in the standings, remain unbeaten in domestic fixtures, while the newly promoted visitors struggle near the bottom of the table. Al-Hilal have accumulated 58 points from 24 matches, with 17 wins and seven draws, scoring 62 goals and conceding 23. Their home record is particularly strong, with nine wins and three draws in 12 league games at the venue. Simone Inzaghi’s team has also shown resilience, securing three wins and two draws in their last five matches, including a 5-3 victory over Al-Shabab. Their attacking prowess and midfield control make them a formidable force. Al-Najma, however, face significant challenges following their promotion. Sitting 18th with just eight points from 24 matches, the team has managed only one win, five draws, and 18 losses. They have conceded 54 goals while scoring 22, highlighting defensive vulnerabilities. Their away form is equally poor, with no victories in 12 league matches outside their home stadium. Recent results have been discouraging, including a 3-1 home defeat to Al-Akhdoud. Under Nestor El Maestro, consistency has been elusive, and they have failed to keep a clean sheet in eight consecutive games. Al-Hilal’s historical dominance over Al-Najma adds to the hosts’ confidence, including a 4-2 victory in a previous encounter. However, their prior top-flight meetings predate the 2000s, making this a fresh challenge. The visitors’ struggles in the Saudi Pro League are evident, and this match represents another test against a top-tier side.#al_hilal_sfc #al_najma #simone_inzaghi #nestor_el_maestro #kingdom_arena