The opening ceremony took place at the Arena di Verona, a 2,000-year-old amphitheatre and Unesco world heritage site, despite no competitions taking place in the city.
More than 660 athletes from 56 countries will feature in six sports at the Games, which run until 15 March, with Great Britain sending a 25-strong team to compete.
No GB athletes were present at Friday’s ceremony, because of logistical reasons rather than political, with many of the team in competitive action across the Dolomites on Saturday morning.
In total, only 28 of the 55 nations competing at Milan-Cortina had athletes marching in person during the parade.
For those who were not there, and were not protesting, pre-recorded videos of the flagbearers and their team-mates were played, accompanied by a loud music soundtrack from Italian house artists Meduza.
The ceremony featured a nod to Verona’s reputation as the City of Love, thanks to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet being set in the city, and culminated with the simultaneous lighting of two Paralympic cauldrons in Milan and Cortina.
“Paralympians are ready to redefine possibility, push the boundaries of human ability and show what humans can achieve when respected and provided with chances to succeed,” said Parsons.
“In the coming days, a record number of athletes and nations will showcase the very best of Paralympic winter sport. Through their exceptional sporting performances, Paralympians will remind the world that disability is not itself a limitation, but an incredible dimension of human diversity.
“Paralympic performances will transform attitudes and inspire people everywhere – those in the venues or watching at home, those dreaming of their own future, and those yet to discover the power of sport.”
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