Figure skating fans tuning into the Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics will notice the sport's absence from the six-sport programme. Despite its Olympic popularity, figure skating remains excluded from the Paralympic Games. The International Skating Union must first gain recognition from the International Paralympic Committee before the sport can be considered for inclusion.

IPC chief Andrew Parsons explained that skating lacks the international competitive infrastructure required for Paralympic status. The IPC has not added new sports since Para-snowboard in 2014, though officials express interest in expanding the programme. Double Paralympic medallist Stefanie Reed and others have campaigned for inclusion after discovering the sport through television shows like Dancing on Ice.

Beyond recognition hurdles, figure skating faces practical challenges including classification systems and accessibility adaptations. Athletes with visual impairments may need guides or Bluetooth headsets, while those with spinal conditions cannot perform jumps. Former British skater Rhiannon Parker-Nicholls highlighted how dizziness prevents completing multiple spins, suggesting element limitations could help. Venue lighting and other environmental factors also require modification for disabled competitors.