Let the Games Begin

The 2026 Paralympic Winter Games have left the ski lift. 

The torches were lit Friday in the 2,000-year-old Arena di Verona, with a record 611 para-athletes from 55 delegations competing over the next fortnight. It was Russia’s return to the international sporting stage after bans for doping scandals and their invasion of Ukraine, prompting seven countries to boycott the opening ceremonies.

Team USA started strong, earning gold and silver in Para Biathlon Women’s Sitting Sprint and crushed Italy 14-1 in Sled Hockey (see highlights).

Also in the Sports section, Formula 1—whose season opened Sunday in Australia—hasn’t decided whether to cancel its April races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia amid the Iran conflict, a call that could cost the sport $100M+. And President Trump hosted 2025 MLS champion Inter Miami at the White House, saying Messi > Pelé.

Verse to consider when your big moment arrives, your plans are on hold, or it’s just an average Monday… “The Lord of Armies is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.” 
Psalm 46:7 (CSB) (read full passage)