China has officially designated its standard-bearers for the upcoming Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics opening ceremony. The Chinese delegation revealed on Thursday that decorated Paralympic veterans Liu Sitong and Ji Lijia will have the honor of carrying the national flag during Friday’s ceremonial commencement in Verona, Italy.
Liu Sitong, a 31-year-old para alpine skier from Liaoning province, brings impressive credentials to her flag-bearing role. Her exceptional performance at the Beijing 2022 Games yielded an impressive medal haul of one silver and four bronze medals. At the forthcoming competitions, Liu is scheduled to participate across five separate alpine skiing events, demonstrating her versatility and athletic prowess.
Joining Liu as co-flag bearer is 23-year-old para snowboarder Ji Lijia from Hebei province. Ji established himself as a dominant force in snowboarding at the previous Winter Paralympics, capturing gold in the men’s snowboard cross SB-UL category and adding a silver medal in the banked slalom SB-UL event. He will defend his titles in these same disciplines during the Milano-Cortina Games.
The Chinese contingent represents a substantial delegation comprising 70 competing athletes supported by 97 coaches and administrative staff members. This comprehensive team will contest medals across 71 events spanning all six Paralympic winter sports: para alpine skiing, para biathlon, para cross-country skiing, para ice hockey, para snowboard, and wheelchair curling.
The XIV Winter Paralympic Games are scheduled to unfold from March 6 through March 15, featuring elite athletes with impairments from across the globe competing at the highest level of winter sports excellence.