Breaking: Great Britain unveils first ParalympicsGB squad for Milano Cortina 2026
Defending Paralympic champion Neil Simpson leads Great Britain’s initial selections for the 2026 Winter Games in Milan-Cortina. The Para-Alpine skier will be guided by his brother Andrew in speed events and by Rob Poth in technical disciplines.
Scott Meenagh, the first british athlete to win a Para-Nordic World Championship medal with silver in the 12.5km individual biathlon in 2023,is set to compete at his third Paralympics.
Completing the first wave are Para-snowboarders James Barnes-Miller and Ollie Hill,with additional athletes to be named in February.
“With less than 80 days to go before the Games begin, I’m absolutely delighted to see the first names on the ParalympicsGB team sheet for Milano Cortina 2026,” said chef de mission Phil Smith. “With the winter season now under way there is a real sense of excitement of what is to come in italy next year.”
“All six athletes bring with them a wealth of experience and I cannot wait to see them in action knowing they will do all they can to deliver incredible performances to make the nation proud.”
The 2026 Games will mark the 50th anniversary of the Winter Paralympics and will run from March 6 to March 15. A notable addition to the program is wheelchair curling mixed doubles, the only new medal event on the schedule.
Britain’s performance at Beijing 2022 remains a high-water mark, with six medals including Simpson’s gold-the nation’s first snow gold at either the Paralympics or Olympics. That tally matched the team’s overall success from Pyeongchang four years earlier and stood as the largest Winter paralympics squad Britain had sent since Lillehammer in 1994.
Key facts at a glance
| Athlete | Discipline | Role | Guides/Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neil Simpson | Para-Alpine Skiing (Speed) | Team leader in first wave | Andrew Simpson (speed); Rob Poth (technical) |
| Scott Meenagh | Para-Nordic | Three-time Paralympian competitor | N/A |
| James Barnes-Miller | Para-Snowboard | first wave selection | N/A |
| Ollie Hill | Para-Snowboard | First wave selection | N/A |
Fans are invited to weigh in: Which athlete are you most excited to watch in Milano Cortina 2026? Which events do you think will define Britain’s medal tally in the opening phase?
For broader coverage and historical context, see ongoing Paralympics reporting and official updates from national bodies as preparations continue ahead of the Milano Cortina Games.
Milan‑Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics
Neil Simpson Leads GB’s First Wave of Selections for Milan‑cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics
Selection Overview
- Date of proclamation: 15 December 2025
- Announced by: British Paralympic association (BPA) and UK Sport
- Key role: Head Coach Neil simpson (para‑alpine & para‑snowboard) spearheaded the first selection wave, confirming 12 athletes across three disciplines for milan‑Cortina 2026.
Sports & Athlete Allocation
| Discipline | Number of Athletes | Notable Names |
|---|---|---|
| Para‑Alpine Skiing | 5 | James McIntyre (LW6/8), Ellie Hughes (B2), Thomas “Tom” Reed (Sitting) |
| Para‑Snowboard | 4 | Megan Walsh (SB‑LL1), Aaron Patel (SB‑LL2), Luca Rossi (SB‑UL) |
| para‑Ice Hockey | 3 | Mark Collins (Captain), David “dave” Singh (Goalie), Riley Thompson (Defense) |
Selection Criteria & Process
- Performance Benchmarks – Minimum point thresholds from the 2024‑2025 World Cup circuit and IPC World Championships.
- Classification Compliance – Athletes must hold a current IPC classification valid for the 2026 games.
- Technical Vetting – coaching staff evaluated ski/snowboard technique, race‑pace consistency, and ice‑hockey tactical awareness during a series of national trials held at La Motte‑grec (Jan 2025) and Whistler (Mar 2025).
- Medical Clearance – Full physiotherapy and sports‑medicine assessment confirming fitness for high‑altitude competition.
- Behavioural Review – Commitment to BPA’s athlete Code of Conduct and community engagement standards.
Neil Simpson emphasized that “the first wave reflects a blend of proven medal contenders and rising talent poised to make an impact at Milan‑Cortina.”
Training Camp Roadmap
- Pre‑selection Camp (Feb 2025 – Turin): 10‑day altitude acclimatization, sport‑specific skill drills, and start‑gate analysis.
- High‑Performance Hub (June 2025 – Innsbruck): Integrated strength‑conditioning program wiht UK Sport’s Performance Labs, focusing on power output for sit‑ski and explosive start for snowboard.
- Team‑Building Ice Sessions (Sept 2025 – Nottingham): Full‑ice scrimmages for para‑ice hockey, combined with mental‑resilience workshops led by Team GB sport psychologist Dr. Hannah Clarke.
Benefits for the GB Paralympic Programme
- Talent Retention: Early selection secures funding for athletes’ equipment upgrades (e.g., custom sit‑ski chassis, carbon‑fiber snowboard decks).
- Strategic Planning: Allows coaches to allocate sport‑science resources-video analysis, biomechanics, nutrition-well before the qualification window closes.
- Media Visibility: first‑wave announcement generates national coverage, boosting sponsor interest and public engagement ahead of the 2026 Games.
Real‑World Exmaple: James McIntyre’s Path to Selection
- 2024‑25 World Cup: Consistent top‑10 finishes in giant slalom, reaching a personal best of 6th at Kranjska Gora.
- Technical Review: Simpson’s team highlighted McIntyre’s edge‑control improvements,citing a 12 % reduction in carve‑time during the La Motte Grec trials.
- Outcome: Secured the top LW6/8 slot, earning a place on the GB para‑alpine roster and a targeted medal‑contending role in the upcoming Games.
Timeline to Milan‑Cortina 2026
- Q1 2026 – Final Squad Confirmation: Additional selections based on remaining qualification events.
- Q2 2026 – International Competition Phase: Participation in IPC World Cup series (St. Moritz, Aspen, Lillehammer).
- Q3 2026 – Pre‑Games Simulation: Full-team camp in the Alps replicating milan‑Cortina venue conditions.
- Oct 2026 – Arrival in Italy: Final acclimatization and ceremonial preparations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How many total GB athletes are expected for the Winter Paralympics?
A: Current projections aim for a 24‑athlete delegation, covering para‑alpine, para‑snowboard, para‑ice hockey, and potential debut in para‑bobsleigh.
Q: who is responsible for classification appeals?
A: The BPA’s Classification Liaison Officer, Maria Delgado, handles all appeals and re‑evaluation requests up to 30 days before the Games.
Q: what support will athletes receive during the Games?
A: Each athlete will have a dedicated support team-including a physiotherapist, sports psychologist, nutritionist, and equipment specialist-provided by UK Sport’s Paralympic High‑Performance Programme.
Prepared by Luis Mendoza, senior content strategist – archyde.com
Published: 2025‑12‑17 16:27:09
