2026 Winter Paralympics highlights Crew USA : NPR

[ad_1] <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/8158x4562+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F2d%2Fff%2F108fc37b4c7aa617510c8a103b52%2Fgettyimages-2266218037.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/8158x4562+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F2d%2Fff%2F108fc37b4c7aa617510c8a103b52%2Fgettyimages-2266218037.jpg" class="img" alt="The U.S. men's sled hockey team players celebrate with the gold medals after the ice hockey match between USA' and Canada at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games in Milan on March 15, 2026. (Photo by Stefano RELLANDINI / AFP via Getty Images)" fetchpriority="high"/> The U.S. males's sled hockey group celebrates after profitable its fifth straight Paralympics gold medal on Sunday. Stefano Rellandini/AFP by way of Getty Photographs disguise caption

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Stefano Rellandini/AFP by way of Getty Photographs Crew USA completed second within the general Paralympics medal rely, after 10 days of competitors wherein American athletes made dazzling debuts, defended titles and cemented legacies.

One of many many made-for-TV moments got here simply hours earlier than the closing ceremony on Sunday, when the U.S. sled hockey group defeated rival Canada to assert its file fifth gold medal in a row.

"You do not ever begin out and attempt to be the one five-time gold medalist within the sport," stated captain Josh Pauls after personally attaining that very feat. "However to be with these guys, to steer them and form of go on that custom, it is the final word honor."

The day — and the Video games — ended with the closing ceremony in Cortina d'Ampezzo, that includes performances, speeches and the extinguishing of the Paralympic flame. American skiers Kendall Gretsch and Andrew Kurka, who're each leaving Italy with new medals, carried the flag for Crew USA.

"I have been concerned in 4 Video games and have solely been in a position to go to 2 closing ceremonies: in PyeongChang, the place I received my gold and silver, and this yr, the place I received my bronze," stated Kurka, who medaled in males's super-G. "It has been a profession crammed with ups and downs, however even the small victories rely for me."

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4863x3555+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fc5%2F6f%2F0c06d28f4d85a96849789a9e4343%2Fgettyimages-2266674279.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4863x3555+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fc5%2F6f%2F0c06d28f4d85a96849789a9e4343%2Fgettyimages-2266674279.jpg" class="img" alt="Andrew Kurka and Kendall Gretsch carry the U.S. flag during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games closing ceremony in Cortina on Sunday." loading="lazy"/> Andrew Kurka and Kendall Gretsch carry the U.S. flag throughout the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Video games closing ceremony in Cortina on Sunday. Mattia Ozbot/Getty Photographs disguise caption

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Mattia Ozbot/Getty Photographs On the ceremony, Worldwide Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Andrew Parsons declared the Video games — the fiftieth anniversary of the Winter Paralympics — formally over, and a hit: "The largest and most lovely Winter Paralympics with extra athletes, extra nations, extra ladies and extra world broadcast and digital protection than ever earlier than."

A file 611 athletes from 55 nations competed in 79 medal occasions throughout six sports activities.

China topped the medal rely for the second Winter Video games in a row, with 44 complete medals (15 gold), adopted by the U.S. with 24 complete medals, together with 13 gold. The U.S. improved on its fifth-place standing from 2022. This is identical variety of gold medals it received in 2018, in what officers are calling its "strongest gold-medal displaying within the final 20 years."

A complete of 28 American Paralympians and two guides reached the rostrum this yr. Six of them received medals for the primary time, and 6 of them earned a number of medals, in response to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC).

In third place — each general and in gold medals — was Russia, which was allowed to take part underneath its personal flag for the primary time since 2014 regardless of its ongoing battle in Ukraine. Ukrainian athletes boycotted each the opening and shutting ceremonies in protest.

However even in a second of intense geopolitical upheaval, amid conflicts in Europe and the Center East, the IPC's Parsons stated the Paralympics supplied "proof that sport can unite us via respect, equity and human achievement."

"Paralympians, you rose above strain, expectation and world rigidity to maintain the main target the place it belongs: on you and your sport," he stated. "You expanded the creativeness of the world. You may have proven that excellence is common and that dedication is aware of no boundaries."

Parsons handed the proverbial torch to the subsequent Winter Paralympics host: the French Alps for 2030. These will comply with the 2028 Summer time Olympics and Paralympics in Los Angeles.

Crew USA highlights <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5432x3621+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F6b%2F2c%2Fba36cae3474f96543d5c1a324c64%2Fap26074601539218.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5432x3621+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F6b%2F2c%2Fba36cae3474f96543d5c1a324c64%2Fap26074601539218.jpg" class="img" alt="Team USA's Declan Farmer (C) fights for the puck during the gold-medal match against Canada." loading="lazy"/> Crew USA's Declan Farmer, heart, fights for the puck throughout the gold-medal match towards Canada. Antonio Calanni/AP disguise caption

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Antonio Calanni/AP On the ice:

The U.S. sled hockey group received off to a powerful begin in an early-round match towards Italy, when it beat the host nation 14-1 — the most important margin of victory within the sport's U.S. historical past.

It stayed dominant, outscoring opponents 46-6 all through the event earlier than changing into the primary Paralympic or Olympic group to win 5 consecutive winter gold medals.

"You'll take pleasure in one thing like this, for positive," Coach David Hoff stated afterward. "However I do not know if it is simply the wins. It is a lot greater than that. They simply love enjoying collectively."

Crew USA beat Canada 6-2 on Sunday, because of a hat trick from Jack Wallace — who was named "greatest defender" of the event — and objectives by Kayden Beasley, Brody Roybal and four-time Paralympian Declan Farmer.

Farmer, the highest scorer and official MVP of those Video games, scored 15 objectives and 26 factors all through the event to turn into the all-time main scorer in Paralympic sled hockey historical past at simply 28 years previous. However he was fast to share the credit score along with his teammates.

"Plenty of the fellows stepped up and had their greatest video games of the event, and we simply carried one another," stated Farmer. "I am simply so glad for the fellows, we earned it collectively."

You are forgiven if in case you have deja vu from final month: This win makes the U.S. the primary nation to comb all three Olympic and Paralympic hockey tournaments in a single yr.

Crew USA additionally made historical past in wheelchair curling, with Steve Emt and Laura Dwyer ending fourth within the brand-new blended doubles occasion. That is the USA' best-ever Paralympic end within the sport.

"Within the two years we have been collectively, we have proven the world what we're able to doing and we'll go residence, take a while off, chill out, re-group and are available again even higher subsequent yr," stated Emt, essentially the most adorned Paralympic roller in U.S. historical past.

In Para Nordic Snowboarding (cross nation and biathlon):

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5532x3383+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F53%2Fb8%2F515418a64dd1afef7a108ebef6f9%2Fgettyimages-2266588841.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5532x3383+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F53%2Fb8%2F515418a64dd1afef7a108ebef6f9%2Fgettyimages-2266588841.jpg" class="img" alt="Oksana Masters competes in the Para Cross-Country Skiing Women's 20km Interval Start Sitting in Tesero, Italy on Sunday." loading="lazy"/> Oksana Masters competes within the para cross-country snowboarding 20km in Tesero, Italy, on Sunday. Luke Hales/Getty Photographs disguise caption

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Luke Hales/Getty Photographs Eight-time, dual-season Paralympian Oksana Masters, essentially the most adorned Winter Paralympian in U.S. historical past, is leaving Italy with 4 new gold medals and a bronze in biathlon and cross-country snowboarding occasions, bringing her profession complete to 24 medals.

That is regardless of a concussion, an infection and harm that nearly saved her from competing within the first place.

"I feel that's what makes it so particular, as a result of nothing is assured," Masters informed NPR on Saturday. "A win's not assured, and the rostrum's not assured, and in order that's been a very nice motivator for this entire … yr to date."

4-time Paralympian Jake Adicoff, with guides Reid Goble and Peter Wolter, received 4 gold medals in 4 visually impaired snowboarding occasions to set a brand new file for essentially the most Para cross-country golds received by a Crew USA athlete in a single Video games.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5965x3776+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F30%2Fd6%2F200b611245f0aac2ad97632b2c14%2Fgettyimages-2266443841.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5965x3776+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F30%2Fd6%2F200b611245f0aac2ad97632b2c14%2Fgettyimages-2266443841.jpg" class="img" alt="Joshua Sweeney, Oksana Masters, Sydney Peterson, Jake Adicoff and his guide Reid Goble of Team United States participate in the medal ceremony after the Para Cross-Country Skiing Mixed 4x2.5km Relay in Val di Fiemme, Italy" loading="lazy"/> Joshua Sweeney, Oksana Masters, Sydney Peterson, Jake Adicoff and his information Reid Goble of Crew USA take part within the medal ceremony after the para cross-country snowboarding blended 4x2.5km relay. Luke Hales/Getty Photographs Europe disguise caption

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Luke Hales/Getty Photographs Europe "It is extremely scary to place a excessive aim out to the general public," the 30-year-old stated. "I used to be doubting it a lot this week, I did not know what was going to occur, however the races got here collectively and I am simply overjoyed."

A type of was the blended 4x2.5km relay, the place the all-star group of Adicoff, Masters, Josh Sweeney and Sydney Peterson got here from behind within the closing leg to defend the U.S. title.

Peterson, competing in her second Paralympics, received 4 medals — three of them gold — this time round.

And Kendall Gretsch, closing ceremony flag-bearer, received 4 medals at her third Winter Paralympics (and fifth complete): one gold, one silver and two bronze. That brings her complete medal rely to 11 throughout Summer time and Winter Video games.

In Alpine snowboarding:

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3087x2058+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F22%2Fb4%2F1d15a1a8464983fe311df0e844cf%2Fgettyimages-2265730597.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3087x2058+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F22%2Fb4%2F1d15a1a8464983fe311df0e844cf%2Fgettyimages-2265730597.jpg" class="img" alt="Andrew Kurka competes in the Super-G leg of the Para Alpine Skiing Men's Alpine Combined Sitting." loading="lazy"/> Andrew Kurka competes within the super-G leg of the para Alpine snowboarding males's mixed. Maja Hitij/Getty Photographs disguise caption

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Maja Hitij/Getty Photographs Andrew Kurka received bronze within the males's super-G sitting, including to his silver and gold from 2018.

"I am glad to be right here. I am glad to have a terrific profession. Gold, silver, and bronze, glad to be carried out," stated Kurka, who wrote on Instagram after the closing ceremony that he's stepping again from ski racing to cope with accidents.

In 2022, he competed with a damaged nostril, thumb and humerus bone, ending fourth within the sitting downhill occasion earlier than withdrawing from the remainder of competitors. Kurka stated in Italy that he is damaged over 20 bones in his profession.

"In the case of it, dropping is nothing in comparison with the ache of failure," he stated after profitable bronze. "And when it comes right down to as we speak, I used to be simply glad to get throughout that end line with none accidents and in a comparatively fast time. Often, if I cross the end line, it is fairly quick."

In the meantime, Patrick Halgren received silver within the males's super-G standing occasion — the primary for Crew USA since 1998.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3718x2481+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F47%2Fae%2Fff7ddd684a3c8a2fc491073ed789%2Fap26068475402248.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3718x2481+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F47%2Fae%2Fff7ddd684a3c8a2fc491073ed789%2Fap26068475402248.jpg" class="img" alt="Patrick Halgren celebrates after winning a silver medal in the alpine skiing men's super-G standing on Monday." loading="lazy"/> Patrick Halgren celebrates after profitable a silver medal within the alpine snowboarding males's super-G standing on Monday. Emilio Morenatti/AP disguise caption

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Emilio Morenatti/AP The 33-year-old wasn't essentially a favourite for the rostrum, having positioned twenty sixth and twenty fourth at his occasions within the Beijing Paralympics. However Halgren stated he felt the presence of his late twin brother Sven — his supply of encouragement to attempt para Alpine snowboarding — who died in a motorbike accident in 2016. Halgren himself misplaced most of his left leg, and practically his life, in a motorbike accident three years earlier.

Halgren, who wowed the web along with his profitable efficiency and rock-star persona, devoted his win to Sven and referred to as it the "greatest day of my life till tomorrow."

"You have fun the victories the identical because the defeats," he added. "I have been blessed to need to develop my character over the past 11 years, dropping my leg, and will both roll over and die, or I might turn into the best Patrick Halgren on Earth, and that is what you are seeing."

In snowboarding:

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5682x3664+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F7c%2Fd7%2F26dc6ee344acb60cdff98fe85413%2Fgettyimages-2266295703.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5682x3664+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F7c%2Fd7%2F26dc6ee344acb60cdff98fe85413%2Fgettyimages-2266295703.jpg" class="img" alt="Kate Delson (C) and Brenna Huckaby (R) of Team United States pose for a photo with their flags on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Para Snowboard Women's Banked Slalom SB-LL2." loading="lazy"/> Kate Delson, heart, and Brenna Huckaby, proper, of Crew U.S. pose for a photograph on the rostrum throughout the medal ceremony for the para snowboard banked slalom. Maja Hitij/Getty Photographs disguise caption

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Maja Hitij/Getty Photographs Three-time Paralympian Brenna Huckaby leaves Italy as essentially the most adorned Paralympic snowboarder in historical past.

She received bronze within the ladies's banked slalom occasion — which she dominated in 2022 — to deliver her profession complete to 5 medals. That got here days after she completed sixth within the snowboard cross occasion, which she nonetheless noticed as a win.

"I am right here representing a really small portion of people that need to see themselves represented," Huckaby stated. "They need to know that in the event that they lose their leg above the knee, life doesn't finish. I completed that right here just by being. So I am glad."

First-time Paralympian Kate Delson medaled in each of these occasions, profitable gold within the banked slalom and silver in snowboard cross.

"I used to be simply stoked to be right here, I feel it is such a enjoyable course," Delson stated after. "I received to get a medal with my teammate, [Huckaby], one in every of my greatest associates on this planet, that is unreal."

On the boys's facet, Noah Elliott received gold within the banked slalom, a repeat of 2018, and silver in snowboard cross to double his profession medal rely.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/8640x5760+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F7d%2F1c%2F6555b57b47afb1bcc43be61edb1f%2Fap26071571692206.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/8640x5760+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F7d%2F1c%2F6555b57b47afb1bcc43be61edb1f%2Fap26071571692206.jpg" class="img" alt="Mike Schultz brought home a bronze medal in his final Paralympics," loading="lazy"/> Mike Schultz introduced residence a bronze medal in his closing Paralympics, for which he outfitted many athletes with their prosthetics. Evgeniy Maloletka/AP disguise caption

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Evgeniy Maloletka/AP And Mike Schultz earned his fourth profession medal — bronze in banked slalom — on the final race of his third and closing Paralympics.

"To complete my final run and convey residence a bronze medal, that is storybook stuff there," Schultz stated in an emotional Instagram video after watching a compilation of congratulatory messages from his U.S. snowboarding teammates, whom he referred to as his household.

All of the whereas, the 44-year-old outfitted many para athletes — together with some who beat him — with high-performance prosthetics, a enterprise he has run for over a decade, which he plans to pursue in retirement.