Milan Cortina 2026: A Guide to the Winter Paralympics
The Winter Paralympics are set to commence in Milan Cortina, Italy, featuring a record-breaking number of athletes and medal events. With over 600 Para athletes competing for 79 medal sets, the games promise thrilling competition across six distinct sports.
Sports Featured at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics
- Para alpine skiing
- Para biathlon
- Para cross-country skiing
- Para ice hockey
- Para snowboard
- Wheelchair curling
Understanding Athlete Categories in Skiing Sports
Athletes competing in Para alpine skiing, Para biathlon and Para cross-country skiing are categorized into three groups: standing, sitting (using a sit-ski or monoski), and vision impaired (racing with a guide). Guides also receive medals for their contributions. Within each category, athletes compete in divisions based on their functional ability, with a results calculation system ensuring fair competition.
A Closer Look at Each Sport
Para Alpine Skiing
Introduced at the first Winter Paralympics in 1976, Para alpine skiing encompasses five events: slalom, giant slalom, super-G, downhill, and super combined. There will be 30 medal events – 15 for men and 15 for women. Athletes in the sitting category utilize a specialized monoski, designed for stability on varied terrain. Competition will be held on the Olympia delle Tofane course in Cortina d’Ampezzo, the same venue used for the recent Winter Olympics women’s alpine skiing events.
Para Biathlon
Para biathlon combines the endurance of cross-country skiing with the precision of target shooting. Athletes will compete in 7.5-kilometer sprint, 12.5-kilometer individual, and sprint pursuit events, totaling 18 medal events. Athletes with upper-limb disabilities may receive assistance from coaches, while those with visual impairments benefit from acoustic targets. The sport debuted for athletes with physical disabilities in 1988 and for those with visual impairments in 1992. Milan Cortina’s Para biathlon events will take place at the Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium.
Para Cross-Country Skiing
Also held at the Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, Para cross-country skiing will feature 20 medal events. Events include sprint, 10-kilometer interval start classic, 20-kilometer interval start free, a mixed 4×2.5-kilometer relay, and an open 4×2.5-kilometer relay. Courses for sitting athletes are designed with lower gradients to accommodate their reliance on upper body strength.
Para Ice Hockey
Originating in Sweden in the early 1960s, Para ice hockey debuted at the Winter Paralympics in 1994. Athletes with physical disabilities in their lower limbs compete using double-blade sledges and two sticks – one for propulsion and one for puck handling. It is a mixed-gender sport, with Japan and Slovakia being the only teams at Milan Cortina with female players. Competition will be held at the Santagiulia arena in Milan, featuring eight teams divided into two groups.
Para Snowboard
First appearing in Sochi in 2014, Para snowboard will have two events for men (lower-limb and upper-limb impairments) and one for women (lower-limb impairments). Events include banked slalom and snowboard cross, both taking place in Cortina. In banked slalom, athletes complete two runs, with the best time determining the ranking. Snowboard cross involves heats and a final race with four athletes competing simultaneously.
Wheelchair Curling
Celebrating its 20th anniversary since its Paralympic debut in Italy in 2006, wheelchair curling features a mixed-team event for athletes with physical disabilities in their legs. Players can choose to throw the stone independently or with a teammate providing stability. The competition will take place at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium and will include a mixed doubles competition for the first time.