2026 Paralympics Preview

The Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics begin March 6–15, 2026, bringing together the world’s most dynamic adaptive athletes for 10 days of competition, community, and representation. For limb difference families, these Games offer something powerful: visibility, possibility, and a chance for kids to see athletes who move through the world in ways that feel familiar. Find all the information at Paralympic.org

Whether you’re tuning in from home or exploring adaptive sports for your own family, this guide brings together everything you need to know — from how to watch, to which sports are included, to the Team USA athletes we’re cheering for.

❄️ How to Watch the 2026 Winter Paralympics

NBCUniversal is offering its largest Paralympic broadcast ever, making it easy for families to follow along.

Where to watch:

• NBC & USA Network — Primetime coverage and featured events

• Peacock — The most complete streaming hub for live events, replays, and highlights

• Telemundo — Select Spanish-language coverage

• NBC Sports digital platforms — Additional streams and clips

The Games run March 6–15, 2026, lasting 10 days.

🏔️ What Sports Are Included?

The Winter Paralympics feature six sports, each with multiple medal events and classification categories:

• Para Alpine Skiing

• Para Nordic Skiing (cross‑country + biathlon)

• Para Snowboarding

• Sled Hockey

• Wheelchair Curling

• Para Biathlon

These sports take place across venues in Milano, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Tesero, and Verona.

🌟 Athletes to Watch — Including Limb Difference Representation

Team USA’s roster is deep, diverse, and full of athletes whose stories resonate with limb difference families. Here are some of the standout competitors heading into Milano–Cortina:

Dani Aravich — Para Nordic Skiing

A dual‑sport Paralympian and congenital limb difference athlete, Dani continues to redefine what crossover excellence looks like. She is one of the co-founders of Culxtured focusing on more coverage of para athletes

Allie Johnson — Para Alpine Skiing

From the Chicagoland area, Allie is heading to her 2nd Winter Paralympics. Allie brings speed, grit, and leadership to Team USA’s powerhouse program.

Oksana Masters — Para Cross-Country Skiing and Para Biathlon

The most decorated Winter Paralympian in Team USA history, with 14 Winter Paralympic medals and 5 Summer medals. Her seven‑medal sweep in Beijing 2022 remains one of the most dominant performances ever.

Kevin McKee — Sled Hockey

A veteran forward and multi‑time Paralympic medalist, Kevin is known for his playmaking and consistency on the ice.

Mike Schultz — Para Snowboarding

A Paralympic champion, inventor of adaptive equipment, and founder of BioDapt, Mike is both an athlete and a pioneer shaping the future of adaptive sport.

Jack Wallace — Sled Hockey

A standout athlete with an above‑knee amputation, Jack is known for his speed, physicality, and scoring ability. He’s a multi‑time Paralympic medalist and one of the most recognizable faces in U.S. sled hockey.

🧊 A Special Note on Florence Brunelle — Representation Beyond the Paralympics

Many families have noticed Florence Brunelle, a Canadian short‑track speed skater with an upper limb difference. While short‑track speed skating is not currently a Paralympic sport, Florence has carved out her own path in the Olympic system — proving that limb difference athletes belong in every arena, not just adaptive ones.

Her story is a powerful reminder for kids:
If your sport isn’t in the Paralympics, that doesn’t mean it isn’t for you.

🧭 How Families Can Try Adaptive Sports

The Paralympics spark inspiration — but the next step is helping kids and adults try adaptive sports themselves. Across the U.S., organizations offer beginner‑friendly clinics, equipment support, and competitive pathways.

National Organizations

• Move United — Nationwide adaptive sports programs and competitions

• Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) — Grants, equipment, and a national directory of adaptive sports programs

• Adaptive Action Sports — Snowboarding, skiing, and outdoor adventure

• U.S. Paralympics Nordic & Alpine — Talent ID camps and development programs

Chicago & Midwest Resources

• GLASA (Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association) — Year‑round adaptive sports, including swimming, track, and more

• Dare2tri — Paratriathlon clinics and inclusive community events

• Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Adaptive Sports Program — Clinics, teams, and youth programs

• H2O Adaptive - Offers Water Skiing and Downhill Skiing Opportunities for adaptive athletes.

Snow‑Specific Programs

• Adaptive Sports Foundation (NY) — Skiing, snowboarding, and winter camps

• National Sports Center for the Disabled (CO) — One of the largest adaptive ski programs in the world

These programs welcome beginners of all ages — including kids with limb differences who are still exploring what they love.

💛 Why This Matters for Limb Difference Families

Representation is more than visibility — it’s belonging. When kids see athletes with limb differences competing on the world stage, they see possibility. They see themselves.

And when they see athletes like Florence Brunelle succeeding in sports outside the Paralympic program, they learn something just as important:
There is no single path to athletic success.

🏁 Looking Ahead

As the 2026 Winter Paralympics begin, we’ll be cheering for every athlete who shows the world what adaptive sport looks like - powerful, joyful, and deeply human. And we’ll be cheering for every kid who watches from home and thinks, “Maybe that could be me.”