By TALES AZZONI, AP Sports Writer<\/p>\n
CORTINA D\u2019AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) \u2014 Iran\u2019s National Paralympic Committee has called it \u201cheartbreaking\u201d that cross-country skier Aboulfazl Khatibi had to withdraw from the Winter Paralympics<\/a> because of the intensifying conflict in the Middle East.<\/a><\/p>\n Khatibi was set to be Iran\u2019s only athlete at the Milan Cortina Paralympics but didn\u2019t show up for the opening ceremony<\/a> last Friday. The International Paralympic Committee said he couldn\u2019t travel safely<\/a> to Italy due to the Iran war.<\/p>\n Hamid Alisamimi, the chief executive of Iran\u2019s NPC, on Tuesday lamented that Khatibi was unable to take part in the Games.<\/p>\n \u201cThe recent events have been very painful for many people, and it is especially heartbreaking for athletes who have dedicated years of hard work and preparation to represent their country,\u201d Alisamimi said in an email to The Associated Press.<\/p>\n \u201cAboulfazl Khatibi Mianaei, like many others, has faced deep disappointment at being unable to participate in the Paralympics after such long and determined preparation. At the same time, he believes that sport should always remain a bridge between nations and a symbol of peace.\u201d<\/p>\n Military attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran began on Feb. 28, less than a week before the Milan Cortina Winter Paralympic Games officially opened on March 6.<\/p>\n The war has raised doubt about Iran\u2019s participation in international sports events, including the men\u2019s soccer World Cup<\/a> in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.<\/p>\n Alisamimi said Iran hopes \u201cthat the international sports community will take responsible action to condemn and suspend countries that violate human rights, so that the world of sport can stand on the right side of history and uphold the values of justice, dignity, and peace.\u201d<\/p>\n