From a 19-time world champ to Monster Mike: US athletes to watch at the 2026 Winter Paralympics

"Though she was born without her lower right arm, she was still an honorable mention All-State softball player in Colorado. In 2018, Adicoff graduated from Bowdoin, where he competed alongside able-bodied athletes on the cross-country ski team, and won silver at the Paralympics in the same year. Then he retired. Three years later, he reconsidered and was back in time to compete in 2022, where he took two more silvers and earned a relay gold with a dramatic anchor leg to rally the team from fourth place to first."

"A fixture in both summer and winter Paralympics for 14 years, Masters is looking for her 20th Paralympic medal and 10th gold. In the summer editions, the Ukraine-born athlete has four cycling golds and one rowing bronze. The rest of her medals have come in winter sports—three gold in cross-county, two in biathlon."

"The 2024 World Cup overall champion has an uncanny world championship record—nine individual races, nine medals (four gold), including two wins in last year's events."

Several elite Paralympic athletes are competing at the highest levels of winter sports. A 19-year-old first-time Paralympian has achieved World Cup podium finishes in downhill and giant slalom events despite being born without her lower right arm, and previously excelled as an All-State softball player. Another athlete graduated from Bowdoin after competing on the cross-country ski team, won Paralympic silver in 2018, retired, then returned to competition in 2022 earning additional silvers and relay gold. The 2024 World Cup overall champion maintains an exceptional world championship record with nine medals from nine races. Oksana Masters, competing in both summer and winter Paralympics for 14 years, pursues her 20th Paralympic medal and 10th gold, with credentials including cycling golds, rowing bronze, and dominant cross-country and biathlon performances after returning from a bone infection.

Read at www.theguardian.com