Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics: A Celebration of Sport and Spirit
Milan, Lombardy, Italy, March 16, 2026 – The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics drew to a close yesterday, March 15, following ten days of exhilarating competition that captivated audiences across Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo, and Val di Fiemme. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Winter Paralympics, the Games brought together 611 athletes from 55 nations, delivering an array of spectacular sporting moments, from the intensity of Para ice hockey to the speed of Para alpine skiing and the precision of wheelchair curling.
Masters Achieves Historic Medal Tally
American athlete Oksana Masters further cemented her legendary status, adding four more medals to her impressive collection. Despite recovering from surgery, a bone infection, and a concussion, the 36-year-old secured her 20th Paralympic medal in her first Para biathlon event, followed by three gold and one bronze in Para cross-country skiing. Her total Paralympic medal count now stands at 24 across both Summer and Winter Games, marking a truly remarkable campaign.
Aigner Siblings Dominate Para Alpine Skiing
The Austrian team’s success in Para alpine skiing was largely due to the extraordinary performances of siblings Johannes and Veronika Aigner. Out of Austria’s 13 medals in the discipline, nine were claimed by the Aigner family. Johannes, 20, won gold in the men’s downhill VI, super G VI, and giant slalom VI events. His 23-year-old sister, Veronika, successfully defended her titles in women’s giant slalom VI and slalom VI, also adding gold medals in the women’s alpine combined VI and downhill VI.
Historic Firsts for Brazil and Latvia
The Games witnessed historic breakthroughs for Brazil and Latvia, both nations earning their first-ever Winter Paralympic medals. Following South America’s first Winter Olympic medal just weeks prior, Brazil’s Cristian Westemaier Ribera clinched silver in the men’s sitting Para cross-country skiing sprint. In a thrilling conclusion, Latvia secured its inaugural medal in wheelchair curling mixed doubles, defeating the United States in an extra end for the bronze.
Olympian Emanuel Perathoner Becomes Paralympic Champion
Italian Emanuel Perathoner achieved the rare feat of becoming both an Olympian and a Paralympic champion. The 39-year-old, who suffered an injury before the Beijing Olympics four years ago, won gold in both the men’s SB-LL2 snowboard cross and banked slalom events. His victory in Cortina, just 100 km from his hometown of Bolzano, made the triumph even more special, adding Paralympic gold to his three world titles.
Fukunishi Breaks Barriers in Para Ice Hockey
Akari Fukunishi made history as the latest woman to compete in Para ice hockey, a mixed-gender discipline since Vancouver 2010. The 35-year-old, who only began playing Para ice hockey in late 2024 after a career in ice hockey, represented Japan at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, marking her debut at the Paralympic Games after participating in the first Women’s Para Ice Hockey World Championships.
Haiti’s First Winter Paralympian: Ralf Etienne
Haiti saw its flag unfurled for the first time at the Winter Paralympics thanks to Ralf Etienne. The banker, who lost a leg in the 2010 earthquake, took up Para alpine skiing and competed in the men’s standing giant slalom at Tofane, writing a new chapter in his nation’s sporting history 16 years after the devastating natural disaster.
China Dominates Wheelchair Curling
The inaugural mixed doubles wheelchair curling tournament at Milano Cortina 2026 saw the People’s Republic of China claim the gold medal, defeating the Republic of Korea in a tense final that went to an extra end. Wang Meng and Yang Jinqiao secured a 9-7 victory, continuing China’s strong record in Paralympic wheelchair curling, having won gold in the last three team competitions.
Hernandez Extends Medal Streak in Para Snowboard
French athlete Cécile Hernandez continued her impressive streak of podium finishes, securing gold in the SB-LL2 Para snowboard cross. The 51-year-old successfully defended her title, marking her fifth Paralympic medal and fourth in Para snowboarding. Her victory was made even more memorable by the presence of her 18-year-old daughter in the stands at Cortina d’Ampezzo.
The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics will be remembered for its inspiring performances, historic achievements, and the unwavering spirit of its athletes.
