The Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games opened March 4 in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. Building on recent athlete previews, wheelchair curling's inaugural mixed doubles event spotlights U.S. representatives Steve Emt and Laura Dwyer, alongside Canada's gold-medal hopefuls led by Ina Forrest and Mark Ideson, with competitions running March 7-15.
The Opening Ceremony marked the start of adaptive winter sports excellence, with wheelchair curling debuting in mixed doubles at Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium. The 10-team field kicks off March 7, including Canada's opener against host Italy, and medal rounds on March 11.
Complementing prior profiles of these contenders, U.S. athletes Steve Emt and Laura Dwyer bring personal triumphs to the ice. Emt, paralyzed in a 1995 car crash, was scouted by coach Tony Colacchio in 2014 during Cape Cod training: “With your build, I can make you into a Paralympian in a year.” Now a three-time Paralympian and the first wheelchair curler to compete in three Games, Emt—also a 10-time national champion—emphasizes competition's life-saving role: “I'm wired differently—I need to compete.”
Partner Dwyer, paralyzed seven years before joining, transitioned from pitching via a Wauwatosa adaptive clinic. Recruited by coach Rusty Schieber in 2020 (“How would you like to become a Paralympian?”), she trains three days weekly at Madison Curling Club and twice in Oconomowoc. They secured spots at the Sioux Falls Trials. Dwyer manages pressure with affirmations like “I belong here,” etched in Morse code on her necklace.
Canada's squad, averaging 53.5 years and ranked second globally, eyes gold after 2014 success. Veteran Ina Forrest (63), paralyzed in 1983 by a drunk driver, started curling at 42 and holds four Paralympic medals. She prioritizes joy: “It's the enjoyment of the game and people.” Skip Mark Ideson (fourth Games, post-2007 helicopter crash) adds: “There's a gold medal out there waiting for me.” The lineup includes third/vice-skip Jon Thurston, lead Collinda Joseph (1983 train derailment survivor, recent world medalist), and fifth Gilbert Dash (2025 world bronze from 2006 ski accident).
These stories highlight curling's transformative power post-injury, uniting global athletes in Milan-Cortina.
