sports
March 6, 2026
Winter Paralympic Games: Everything You Need to Know About Milano Cortina 2026
More athletes than ever, new nations, old favorites and breakout stars: here are all your questions about the Milano Cortina Winter Paralympics answered.
TL;DR
- This is the 14th Winter Paralympics, marking the event's 50th anniversary.
- Over 600 athletes from 56 countries are expected, with El Salvador, Haiti, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Portugal making their debut.
- There will be 79 medal events across six sports: para-alpine skiing, wheelchair curling, para-snowboard, para-biathlon, para-cross country skiing, and para-ice hockey.
- The Games will be held in Milano Cortina, with the opening ceremony in Verona and events spread across Cortina d’Ampezzo, Predazzo, and Milan.
- Para-sports are categorized by disability, with events further divided by gender and classification.
- Notable athletes include Italy's Giacomo Bertagnolli, US stars Oksana Masters and Brenna Huckaby, and Great Britain's Neil Simpson and Menna Fitzpatrick.
- The Games have faced controversy due to the IPC's decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes, leading to a boycott by seven nations.
- The IPC hopes the focus remains on sport and inclusion, despite potential disruptions from global conflicts.
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