At 63, Canadian wheelchair curling legend Ina Forrest is set to make history by competing in her fifth Paralympic Games at Milano Cortina 2026. The Spallumcheen, B.C., native has medaled at every Games since her 2010 debut and aims to become the first in the sport to win five medals. Her mental focus and leadership will be key for Canada's team in Italy.
Ina Forrest, a 63-year-old from Spallumcheen, B.C., is gearing up for an unprecedented fifth Paralympics in wheelchair curling, scheduled for March 6-15, 2026, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. As the only athlete to have won four Paralympic medals in the sport—gold in Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014, bronze in Pyeongchang 2018 and Beijing 2022—Forrest will serve as second on Canada's team. The squad, led by skip Mark Ideson in his third straight Games, includes lead Collinda Joseph, third Jon Thurston, and alternate Gilbert Dash. Canada, ranked second globally behind two-time defending champions China, opens against host Italy on March 7 at Stadio Olimpico del Ghiaccio, followed by a matchup with China on March 10. The round-robin also features Great Britain, Latvia, Sweden, Slovakia, Korea, and the United States.
Forrest credits her success to mental resilience honed in a tough rural upbringing near Fort St. John, B.C. "You dig deep and just let all your training take over and stop thinking," she told CBC Sports. "The focus part just takes over. It's a very important part of curling, not overthinking."
Coach Mick Lizmore praises her evolution: "I think she's the best version of herself that she's ever been. She has added new skills and reinforced already solid strengths." Inducted into the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame in 2016 and the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame last October, Forrest acts as co-captain and a calming influence, especially for teammates like Joseph and Thurston in their first Games with fans.
"Just getting to Paralympics is an achievement every time," Forrest said. "The best version of yourself has to show up every game." Canada, the only nation to medal in every Paralympic wheelchair curling tournament, will hold a final training camp in early February before staging in Italy.
Wheelchair curling involves delivering stones from a seated position, emphasizing strategy and precision. The Milano Cortina Games promise accessibility, with tickets starting at €10 for children under 14.
