The Winter Paralympic Games begin this March 6, featuring six sports, 665 athletes, and 79 medals over nine days. The opening ceremony will take place at the Verona Arena, a 2,000-year-old Roman amphitheater that also hosted the closing ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Events will happen across northern Italy: alpine skiing, snowboarding, and wheelchair curling will be held in Cortina d'Ampezzo, while Nordic skiing events take place in Tesero. Para hockey matches are scheduled for Santagiulia Arena in Milan. The Paralympics is a global sporting event that showcases the extraordinary talents and determination of athletes with disabilities. What started as a small rehabilitation event for World War II veterans in 1948 has evolved into a global competition that runs alongside the Olympic Games. Athletes from all over the world come to compete for their shot at earning a gold medal. From the early days of minimal media coverage to today’s global broadcasts, the Paralympics now inspire millions, challenging perceptions and celebrating human potential.
Curious about how the Paralmypics have evolved? Click through now to discover more.