Paralympic Winter Games: What you need to know

"Approximately 665 athletes from 56 nations are to compete in 79 medal events across six sports: Para-alpine skiing, Para-biathlon, Para cross-country skiing, Para-ice hockey, Para-snowboard and wheelchair curling. While there are just six sports, each features multiple categories depending on the competing athletes' type and level of disability."

"One new medal event—wheelchair curling mixed doubles—is to be featured for the first time at these Games. It's simply a new variant on wheelchair curling similar to the mixed doubles curling event in the Winter Olympics, which was added to the list of medal events for Pyeongchang in 2018."

"Russian and Belarusian athletes will be allowed to compete at the Winter Paralympics under their own flags and with their national anthems. This is due to a decision taken at the International Paralympic Committee's (IPC) general assembly last September to lift the ban on the participation of athletes from both countries."

The 2026 Paralympic Winter Games will be held across Milan, Cortina d'Ampezzo, and Val di Fiemme in northern Italy from March 6-15. Approximately 665 athletes from 56 nations will compete in 79 medal events spanning six sports: Para-alpine skiing, Para-biathlon, Para cross-country skiing, Para-ice hockey, Para-snowboard, and wheelchair curling. Each sport includes multiple categories based on athletes' disability types and levels. This marks the 14th Paralympic Winter Games edition and the 50th anniversary since their inception in 1976. Italy hosts the Winter Games for the second time, 20 years after Turin 2006. Five nations—El Salvador, Haiti, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Portugal—are participating for the first time. Wheelchair curling mixed doubles debuts as a new medal event. Russian and Belarusian athletes will compete under their own flags following the International Paralympic Committee's decision to lift participation bans.

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