With the closing of the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni sent a message of thanks to Italy’s Paralympic athletes. The Prime Minister congratulated the Paralympic national team on their successes and the excitement they brought to Italy throughout the event. Meloni's address stressed not only the sporting importance of the athletes' performances, but also their personal and civic role models. "Thank you to all our athletes on the Paralympic national team for the excitement and extraordinary results you have brought to Italy. With your talent, your determination, and your example, you have made the entire nation proud. Thank you for carrying the Italian flag high", says the prime minister. The Prime Minister was supposed to attend the Games' closing ceremony in Cortina d'Ampezzo. She had left Rome but had to return owing to terrible weather. Adverse weather conditions prohibited the helicopter from safely traveling to the Veneto region following its scheduled landing at Istrana Military Airport. Despite her absence from the closing ceremony, the Prime Minister's message expressed the government's and the country's gratitude to the Paralympic athletes who competed in a sporting event in which Italy excelled in terms of results and teamwork.