Fifty athletes set to compete for Canada at Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games
A team of 50 athletes, including four guides, is set to represent Canada at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games from March 6-15, the Canadian Paralympic Committee confirmed Wednesday.
The Canadian Paralympic Team will compete in each sport at the Games: Para alpine skiing (eight athletes), Para ice hockey (17), Para nordic skiing – including Para biathlon and Para cross-country skiing (15), Para snowboard (5), and wheelchair curling (5).
A dedicated team of 50 coaches and National Sport Organization (NSO) support staff will be working with the athletes in Italy.
Among the 50 athletes is Kingsville’s Corbin Watson.
After competing at the 2014 and 2018 Paralympic Winter Games, Watson missed the 2022 Beijing Games as he stepped back from his Para ice hockey career to focus on family. He returned for the 2023-24 season with renewed focus as he continues to prepare for the 2026 Games.
At the 2025 Para hockey Cup, the last tournament before the 2026 Games, Watson was a standout in the gold medal final against the U.S. making 16 saves in 2-0 loss to leave no doubt he is ready for Milano Cortina.
Career highlights before his break included a 3-0 shutout victory over Norway for the bronze medal at the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games. It was one of three shutouts for Watson who maintained a 0.75 goals against average in the tournament.
He was also outstanding at the 2013 World Championships. He played in four of Canada’s five games, registering a shutout each time as Canada won the gold medal for its first world crown since 2008.
As is the case for Canada’s other two goalies – Adam Kingsmill and Jean-François Huneault – Watson was initially a standup goalie. Watson lost his lower right leg as the result of a car accident in 2006.
After the crash, his lower right leg was amputated, and two years later he began playing Para ice hockey with the Windsor Ice Bullets.
Click here to read more about Corbin’s journey to the 2026 Milano Cortina Paralympic Winter Games.
Click here to read the athlete bios of all Canadian Paralympians.
Canada’s total delegation size will be 163 people, including athletes, coaches, NSO support staff, CPC staff, and support team members.
“What an incredible group of athletes we have ready to represent Canada at the Games!” said Mac Marcoux, honorary captain, Milano Cortina 2026 Canadian Paralympic Team. “With only nine days left until the start of the Games, the final countdown and preparations are on, and I cannot wait to support this team in Italy. We are going to have so many great performances to celebrate and will be behind each and every athlete as they strive towards their goals on the Paralympic stage. We look forward to feeling all the support from Canadians as we cheer on this team!”
As the official broadcaster of the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, CBC/Radio-Canada will provide extensive coverage across its multiple platforms, showcasing the performances of Paralympians to audiences nationwide.
Audiences can tune in for CBC’s coverage of Milano Cortina 2026 on CBC, CBC Gem, and CBC’s Milano Cortina 2026 website (cbc.ca/milanocortina2026) in English.
Coverage in French can be found on ICI TÉLÉ, ICI TOU.TV, and on Radio-Canada.ca/jeux-paralympiques.
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The competition schedule can be found at: Paralympic Schedule | Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics – March 6 to 15, 2026
