Australia will send its second-largest Paralympic Winter team ever to the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, featuring record-breaking athletes and historic firsts.
Fourteen athletes, including two sighted guides, will compete across a record four sports - Para Alpine Skiing, Para Snowboard, Para Cross Country Skiing and Para Biathlon.
Several athletes will make history at the Games. Paralympic gold medallists Lauren Parker and Amanda Reid will join a rare and elite group of Australians to compete at both Summer and Winter Paralympic Games.
The team also brings together experience and emerging talent. Australia's most decorated Winter Paralympian, Michael Milton, will return for his sixth Winter Games, becoming the nation's oldest Winter Paralympian just shy of his 53rd birthday.
He will be joined by 16-year-old Liana France, who is making history as Australia's youngest female Winter Paralympian.
The team is backed by the Albanese Government's record investment in Para sport, with a doubling of funding to include $54.9 million through Para Uplift, which is removing systemic and structural performance barriers for Paralympic athletes.
Milano Cortina athletes and coaches are also benefiting from an additional $2m to help ensure the team's high-performance, operational and medical needs are met, enabling athletes perform at their best when it matters most.
Since the Beijing 2022 Winter Games, the Government has invested $37.5 million in high performance winter programs, with an additional $3.3 million to directly support athletes through dAIS.
The Opening Ceremony for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Games will be held on 7 March (AEDT), and will finish on 15 March.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Sport, Anika Wells:
"Australia's Paralympic Winter athletes are not just competing for medals - they are inspiring Australians, demonstrating what is possible through talent, determination and the right support.
"Australia has competed at every Winter Paralympic Games since 1976 - a legacy we are proud to continue at Milano Cortina 2026.
"The Albanese Government supports high performance athletes to be the very best and Australia always punches above its weight at Olympic and Paralympic Games.
"I congratulate flag bearers Ben Tudhope and Georgia Gunew on the special honour of leading Team Australian and wish all our athletes the very best of luck - we are cheering you on every step of the way."
