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Australian Paralympic Winter Team Chef de Mission Ben Troy has completed an extensive inspection of the venues and facilities for the Milano Cortina Paralympic Games, which start exactly two years from today.
The mission included an 800 kilometre drive between venues with a colleague from Snow Australia and two from the New Zealand Paralympic Committee in what they termed the ‘ANZAC van’.
Troy spent seven days visiting northern Italy, focusing on the two main competition areas, Cortina d’Ampezzo, which will host Para-alpine and Para-snowboard events, and Val de Femme, which will be home to Para-cross country and Para-biathlon.
“We’re hopeful of having our first athletes qualify in Para-nordic events since 2010, so it was exciting to see the venue and local area in preparation for their hopeful qualification,” Troy said.
“The final stop was Milano where we were joined by 60 representatives from various sports to receive a detailed update from the Organising Committee across key functional areas; sport, accommodation, transport and logistics.”
The two-years-to-go milestone is being marked through a series of activities across the host regions, including the reveal of the Paralympic Agitos and Olympic Rings and Mascots. Members of the public can now interact with these symbols in Milan’s city centre.
Troy said the Australian Paralympic Winter Team would be well positioned in 2026 to strengthen its hard-earned place among the world’s top nations.
“We’ve got a tremendously talented and hard-working group of Para-athletes vying for a place on the team,” he said.
“Paralympics Australia and Snow Australia will continue to ensure athletes have all the resources they need to qualify and then prepare for the Games.
Snow Australia Para-teams Manager Ali Bombardier said the opportunity for Australian athletes to compete at the FIS Para World Cup event in Cortina was a great opportunity to become familiar with the area and conditions.
“The organisers put on an amazing show, welcoming the tour and giving us a glimpse of what the Paralympic Winter Games will look and feel like in two years,” Bombardier said.
“There are more events planned next year which will allow the teams to get to know the area and facilities. Two years may seem like a long time, but we need to utilise every opportunity for training to optimise performance.
“The next year holds the start of qualifying opportunities for the Games and World Championships for both Para-alpine and Para-snowboard athletes, so activity is ramping up.”
Beijing snowboarding bronze medallist Ben Tudhope said Milano Cortina 2026 promised to be an electrifying stage for his sport.
“As we countdown to the Games, the plans for Milano Cortina 2026 are shaping up to showcase the very best of adaptive sports, highlighting inclusivity, determination, and excellence on the snow,” he said.
Milano Cortina 2026 will be held from March 6 to 15 March. Australia has participated at every Paralympic Winter Games since the first in Örnsköldsvik in 1976.
By: Natalie McGarry, Paralympics Australia
Posted: 6 March 2024
