(Photo: Olympics.com)
VERONA, Italy — March 6, 2026 — The Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games officially began tonight with a breathtaking Opening Ceremony titled “Life in Motion.” Held within the 2,000-year-old Verona Arena, the event made history as the first Paralympic ceremony ever hosted at a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Under the artistic direction of Alfredo Accatino, the ceremony used the arena’s elliptical shape and ancient stone to celebrate humanity’s resilience. A highlight of the evening was a modern interpretation of Romeo and Juliet featuring a da Vinci-inspired flying machine that rose above the crowd to symbolize connection over division.
Great Lakes Powerhouse: Team USA and Team Canada
The Parade of Nations featured a record 611 athletes from 55 delegations. Team Canada was led by flag bearers Tyler McGregor (Forest, ON) and Natalie Wilkie, while Team USA followed with Josh Pauls and Laurie Stephens at the helm.
The Great Lakes region provided nearly half of the North American rosters. From the ice rinks of Ontario to the trails of Minnesota, these athletes represented the backbone of their nations:
- Landon Uthke (Albert Lea, MN): The 18-year-old defenseman from Albert Lea made his Paralympic debut tonight. Uthke, who started playing at age seven after a childhood accident, represents the next generation of Minnesota’s 24-athlete delegation—the largest state contingent in the U.S.
- Tyler McGregor (Forest, ON): The Canadian captain led 23 athletes from Ontario into the arena, marking the highest representation from any Canadian province.
- Josh Pauls: The veteran U.S. captain and flag bearer leads a sled hockey squad featuring regional stars like Brody Roybal (Northlake, IL) and Josh Misiewicz (La Grange, IL).
- Kendall Gretsch (Downers Grove, IL): A multi-sport legend from Illinois entering the Games as a favorite in both biathlon and cross-country events.
- Mark Ideson (London, ON): The three-time Paralympian and London native serves as skip for Canada’s wheelchair curling team.
- Sydney Peterson (Lake Elmo, MN): A breakout Nordic star from the Twin Cities area who credits her hometown winters for her endurance.
- Rob Armstrong (Erin, ON) & Dominic Cozzolino (Mississauga, ON): Key Ontario veterans on the Canadian Para ice hockey team hungry to reclaim gold.
- Matthew Thums (Prentice, WI) & Steve Emt (Deforest, WI): Leading the charge for a veteran Wisconsin-heavy wheelchair curling squad.
The Lighting of the Dual Cauldrons
The ceremony reached its emotional peak when wheelchair fencing champion Bebe Vio carried the Paralympic torch into the arena. As she triggered a symbolic fire effect, two physical cauldrons were simultaneously lit in the host cities of Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo—the first time in history that two city cauldrons have burned throughout the Games.
Fun Fact: To ensure the 2026 Games were truly inclusive, the Italian government invested EUR 20 million in accessibility upgrades for historic Verona, proving that even a 2,000-year-old Roman amphitheater can be made accessible for all.