Norwegian wheelchair curling athlete Mia Larsen Sveberg is gearing up for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games while balancing her sport with a passion for music. The young Paralympian, who debuted at Beijing 2022, draws on her musical background to manage competition nerves. She aims to help Norway improve on its seventh-place finish from the previous Games.
Mia Larsen Sveberg, a rising star in wheelchair curling, leads a multifaceted life that intertwines elite sports training with musical pursuits. The Norwegian athlete, who uses a wheelchair due to a hypermobility condition affecting her joints, explained that her hips can dislocate even while seated. Diagnosed with hearing loss at age 18, she relies on a hearing aid and a team skip's microphone for on-ice instructions, a setup that addresses challenges with low voices and ambient sounds like birdsong.
Sveberg's Paralympic journey began at Beijing 2022, where she was among the youngest competitors despite limited experience interrupted by the pandemic. Now more confident, she performs pre-competition rituals like texting her family and boyfriend to stay connected. "Mentally, I’m more prepared," she said. Her typical day starts with a nutritious breakfast rich in vegetables and protein, followed by two hours of ice practice. She supplements this with twice-weekly strength training to avoid shoulder injuries and juggles commitments like teaching music and leading a choir for individuals with cognitive disabilities. Advocacy for people with disabilities in Norway also fills her schedule with meetings and conferences.
Music has been a lifelong anchor; Sveberg has performed concerts since age six and often sings to herself during solitary ice sessions. "I need music in my life... I’ve always played piano and singing and writing my own music," she noted. Looking ahead to the Milano Cortina 2026 Games, set for March 6-15 at venues including the Cortina Olympic Curling Stadium, Sveberg is eager to elevate Norway's performance. Wheelchair curling, accessible to many wheelchair users yet challenging to recruit for, remains dominated by athletes aged 40 to 60. "I’m really looking forward to the day when I’m the oldest one out there," she said, hoping to inspire younger participants.
