GAMES TO FEATURE 665 ATHLETES, 79 MEDALS ACROSS SIX SPORTS
The 2026 Winter Paralympics, set to commence in Milano Cortina, will host approximately 665 athletes vying for a record 79 medals. The competition spans six distinct sports: para Alpine skiing, para biathlon, para cross-country skiing, para ice hockey, para snowboard, and wheelchair curling.
The Games, marking the 50th anniversary of the Winter Paralympics, will unfold over ten days. Athletes will compete in disciplines that test a range of physical, visual, and intellectual capabilities. In para ice hockey, for instance, athletes navigate the rink on sleds equipped with two skate blades. Wheelchair curling, a variant of its Olympic counterpart, notably prohibits the use of sweeping.
SPORTING DISCIPLINES AND KEY EVENTS
The six sports represent foundational events for the Winter Paralympics, with para Alpine skiing and para cross-country skiing being among the original disciplines.
| Sport | Disciplines/Categories | Key Competition Dates | Primary Venues |
|---|---|---|---|
| Para Alpine Skiing | Downhill, Slalom, Giant Slalom, Super-G (classification by sit, standing, VI categories) | March 7-8, March 10-15 | Cortina d’Ampezzo |
| Para Biathlon | Sprint, Individual, Middle Distance (classification by sit, standing, VI categories) | March 7-8, March 10-15 | Tesero |
| Para Cross-Country Skiing | Individual Events, Relays (classification by sit, standing, VI categories) | March 10-15 | Val di Fiemme |
| Para Ice Hockey | Team Competition | Preliminary Rounds intensify March 10 onwards, Gold Medal Game March 15 | Milan |
| Para Snowboard | Banked Slalom, Snowboard Cross | March 7-8, March 14 | Cortina Para Snowboard Park |
| Wheelchair Curling | Team Competition | Round Robin begins March 7, Medal Matches March 14 | Cortina d’Ampezzo |
Specific events will see early medal opportunities. The first gold medals are slated for March 7, featuring para Alpine skiing downhill for men and women, and sprint events in para biathlon. Wheelchair curling's round robin also commences on this date. The following day, March 8, will see para snowboard cross finals. March 14 is scheduled as the busiest medal day, with finals in para Alpine skiing slalom, para snowboard banked slalom, and wheelchair curling medal matches. The Games will conclude on March 15 with the para ice hockey gold medal game and final ceremonies.
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ATHLETES AND STORYLINES TO WATCH
Several athletes and teams are highlighted for their potential impact. Aaron Pike, a nine-time world medalist in para biathlon, is participating in his eighth Paralympics and seeking his first medal. Emanuel Perathoner, after two Olympic appearances, is set to make his Paralympic debut on home snow. For Great Britain, para ice hockey and alpine skiing are identified as significant medal opportunities. Notable individuals include James Barnes-Miller, a strong contender in para snowboard events, and Neil Simpson, the defending Paralympic alpine skiing champion. The Czechia para ice hockey team is also noted as an interesting storyline. Notably, one report mentions a 36-year-old athlete as a seven-time Paralympian with 19 medals across four sports, though specific names are not consistently tied to this description across all summaries.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT AND BROADCAST
The Milano Cortina Games will coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Winter Paralympics. The event is structured to occur every four years, sharing the host city with the Winter Olympics. For viewers in Australia, participation in para cross-country, para biathlon, para snowboarding, and para Alpine skiing represents an expansion from previous Games where Australian athletes predominantly focused on Alpine sports. In the United States, NBC will provide extensive coverage, including live streaming of the opening ceremony and primetime highlight shows. Live television coverage will be offered across NBC, USA Network, and CNBC, with streaming and on-demand options available via Peacock. The broadcast will culminate with live coverage of the sled hockey gold medal game.
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