Winter Paralympics: Six Sports, Big Stories

The 2026 Winter Paralympics kick off in Milan and Cortina, gathering over 600 athletes who will compete for 79 medals across six thrilling events. These games blend speed, skill, and teamwork, showcasing the remarkable resilience of athletes with diverse abilities.

Para Alpine Skiing

• Events: Slalom, Downhill, and three additional races
• Categories:
• Standing athletes
• Sitting athletes on special monoski seats
• Visually impaired athletes guided by teammates who also receive medals
• Course: Same track used for the Olympic women’s races

Para Biathlon

• Combines cross‑country skiing with precision shooting
• Distances: 7.5 km sprints and longer races
• Penalties for missed shots: added time or extra loops
• Coaching support tailored to upper‑limb impairments and acoustic cues for visually impaired competitors

Para Cross‑Country Skiing

• Races: Sprint, long‑distance, and mixed relays
• Categories:
• Sitting athletes using sit‑skis
• Standing athletes propelling themselves with poles
• Relays feature teams that mix categories

Para Ice Hockey

• Fast‑paced, mixed‑gender sport
• Players sit on sledges and wield two sticks: one for speed, one for puck control
• The U.S. team targets a third consecutive title; women’s participation remains rare

Para Snowboard

• Disciplines: Banked slalom and cross races
• Men: Lower‑limb or upper‑limb categories
• Women: Lower‑limb only
• Athletes use prosthetics or adapted boards; winners determined by best times or fastest finishes

Wheelchair Curling

• Celebrating its 20th year
• Teams throw stones from a wheelchair; teammates may hold the chair steady
• Matches: eight ends, no sweeping—adding strategic depth

These events together illustrate that the Paralympics are more than competition; they’re a vibrant celebration of adaptation, teamwork, and the human spirit.