2026 Winter Paralympics Overview
The 2026 Winter Paralympics will be held from March 6 to March 15, 2026, in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, featuring more than 650 athletes competing for 79 gold medals across six sports.
The opening ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET on March 6, while the closing ceremony will take place on March 15 at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium.
Sports and Participation
This edition of the Winter Paralympics will include para alpine skiing, para biathlon, para cross-country skiing, para snowboarding, para ice hockey, and wheelchair curling. Notably, wheelchair curling mixed doubles will be featured for the first time.
Additionally, five countries—El Salvador, Haiti, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Portugal—will be competing for the first time in Winter Paralympic history.
The 2026 Winter Paralympics marks the 50th anniversary of the first Winter Paralympics, which were held in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden, in 1976. This milestone underscores the growth and evolution of the event over the decades.
Austria holds the record for the most medals in Winter Paralympic history with 345, while Norway has secured the most gold medals, totaling 140. Ragnhild Myklebust is the most decorated athlete in this arena, boasting 27 medals.
Quotes from Athletes and Officials
Giacomo Bertagnolli expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming games, stating, “It will be a big stage for me and for the whole Paralympic world because we are finally in Italy and in Europe.” Andrew Parsons, a key figure in the organization, emphasized the dual focus of the games, saying, “We are a sport organization, these games are about sport. But not only sport. These games are about inclusion too.”
The motto of the Paralympics, “Spirit in Motion,” reflects the determination and resilience of every Paralympian, highlighting the spirit of competition and camaraderie that defines the event.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the final preparations and additional announcements leading up to the games.
