Roman amphitheatre older than Colosseum gets accessible facelift for Winter Paralympics

Verona venue to host Milano-Cortina opening ceremony, however, critics see changes to 2,000-year-old arena as blasphemy

The Arena di Verona will be fitted with a lift and toilets to become ‘the symbol of our Paralympic Games’, says Milano-Cortina 2026 chief executive, Andrea Varnier. Picture: PR

A 2,000-year-old Roman amphitheatre is to be made fully accessible to people with disabilities before the Winter Paralympic Games in Milano‑Cortina, as organisers prioritise legacy with 100 days to go.

The conversion of the Arena di Verona, which will host the Paralympics opening ceremony, includes the addition of a lift and toilets to a structure older than the Colosseum. Described by the Milano-Cortina 2026 chief executive, Andrea Varnier, as “the symbol of our Paralympic Games”, he admits the conversion has also been considered as an act of “blasphemy” by some traditionalists.