Disability & Identity
Alpine skier Patrick Halgren is the undisputed rock star of the 2026 Winter Paralympics. The Winter Paralympics have overflowed with incredible feats and uplifting stories as expected. But it was Patrick Halgren’s performance in the Super-G final, along with some unforgettable post-race interviews, that won the hearts of Cortina.
There is never a shortage of intriguing athletes, events, and storylines at the Paralympics. In recent years, athletes have emphasized the need to highlight their achievements over their impairments. So, come for the performances and stay for the stories. Here are some things worth watching at the Milano Cortina 2026
Access & Policy
Paralympic sports use a process known as “classification“ to create a level playing field and include athletes with a wide range of disabilities. Athlete classification is one of the most unique and confusing aspects of the Paralympic Games. The easiest way to understand classification is to compare it to weight
Access & Policy
Ukrainian officials will boycott the opening ceremony of the 2026 Paralympic games if athletes from Russia and Belarus are allowed to compete under their own flags. Earlier this week, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) cleared the way for 10 para athletes from Russia and Belarus to participate in the upcoming
Disability & Identity
Adaptive gamers were stunning the world of esports long before Ilia Malinin took over the 2026 Winter Olympics. American figure skater Ilia Malinin is one of the breakthrough stars of the Milano Cortina games thanks to some incredible spins and a catchy nickname, but the original “Quad God” was a
Access & Policy
An international development camp in Finland will help identify and motivate the next generation of women's para ice hockey players. The camp will take place at the Vierumäki Olympic Training Center, June 4–7, 2026. There will be up to 30 players and 10 staff members invited to
Design & Technology
A group of 10 blind and low-vision fans will experience Super Bowl LX using a hand-held device that translates gameplay into vibration and sound. The innovative tech is the creation of a Seattle-based start-up called OneCourt. The company worked with the NFL and Ticketmaster to bring its device to the
Design & Technology
Researchers at the University of Birmingham are sounding the alarm on the growing risk of “electroceuticals” in para sport. They argue that the use of spinal cord stimulation systems should be reviewed by the World Anti-Doping Agency to protect the integrity of para sport against the emerging threat of “neuro-doping”
Access & Policy
The University of Texas Arlington men's and women's wheelchair basketball teams have a new home. After decades of success, the "Movin' Mavs" and "Lady Movin' Mavs" are officially joining the UTA Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. Both teams will be supported
Design & Technology
High Fives Foundation launched the latest version of their “Helmets are Cool” campaign to create awareness about snow sport safety. High Fives Foundation was originally founded as the "safety net" of the action sports community. The organization provides therapeutic grants to athletes who experience life-changing injuries. Crucially, the
Media & Culture
Ali Thuwit is stronger than you think. American Paralympian Ali Thuwit announced a $400,000 gift to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Foundation to support the next generation of para swimmers. The commitment comes in partnership with Thuwit’s foundation, Stronger Than You Think, and will provide incentive pay
Media & Culture
College football fans got a quick lesson in accessibility when ESPN aired Apple’s latest ad campaign during the national championship game this week. The ad highlights accessibility features while college students with disabilities sing along in a joyous campus-wide musical. The film was directed by Kim Gehrig, who also