A guide to the sports, events and classifications of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Paralympics

March 6, 2026 - 05:37

The sporting world is turning its attention to Italy, where the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Paralympics will showcase elite athletic competition across six core sports. The event will feature a total of 79 medal events in alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, biathlon, snowboard, wheelchair curling, and para ice hockey.

Fundamental to the integrity of the Games is the detailed classification system, a process every athlete undergoes. This is not a grouping by disability type, but a functional assessment designed to ensure fair competition. Athletes are evaluated on how their impairment impacts their specific sport’s activities, leading to sport classes where those with similar functional abilities compete against one another. This system levels the playing field, making the competition about skill, strategy, and athletic excellence.

The 2026 program promises thrilling action, from the speed of the downhill slopes to the precision and strategy on the curling sheet. These Games will celebrate the remarkable dedication and prowess of Paralympians, united by a system that puts fair play at the forefront of every event.