U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee announces 72-member 2026 U.S. Paralympic Team

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee today announced the 72-member 2026 U.S. Paralympic Team, including four guides, that are set to compete at the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games. The Paralympic Winter Games will kick off with the Opening Ceremony on Friday, March 6 at the historic Arena di Verona followed by nine days of competition held from Saturday, March 7 through Sunday, March 15.

“We are incredibly proud to introduce 72 remarkable athletes who will represent the United States in Italy at the Paralympic Winter Games,” said USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland. “Their journeys are defined by excellence, perseverance, discipline, and an unshakable belief in what is possible. We cannot wait to support them as they seize this moment and cheer them on as shine on this global stage.”

The 2026 roster features 48 men and 20 women (not including guides) and an impressive group of 44 returning Paralympians, including two seven-time Paralympians, one five-time Paralympian, three four-time Paralympians, eight three-time Paralympians, 12 two-time Paralympians, 18 one-time Paralympians and 24 athletes making their Paralympic debut.

The resume of veterans includes 25 medalists who have earned a combined 54 gold medals from 89 Paralympic podium appearances. Twenty athletes have won multiple Paralympic medals with 14 winning multiple Paralympic gold medals. 

Headlining the American squad is 19-time Paralympic medalist Oksana Masters (Para Nordic skiing), the most decorated Winter U.S. Paralympian of all-time and the first American to win seven medals at a single Paralympic Games. Three athletes return to the Games with seven medals a piece including Para Nordic skiing teammates Kendall Gretsch and Dan Cnossen as well as Laurie Stephens (Para alpine skiing). The U.S. sled hockey team heads to the Paralympic Winter Games looking to earn its fifth consecutive Paralympic title, entering Milano Cortina as the sport’s most decorated team in history.

There are two seven-time Paralympians on the roster – Masters and Aaron Pike (Nordic skiing), while Stephens enters as the sole five-time Paralympian. The three athletes with four Paralympic Games on their resume include Jasmin Bambur (alpine skiing), Josh Pauls (sled hockey) and Gretsch (Nordic skiing). The three-time Paralympians include Brody Roybal (sled hockey), Cnossen (Nordic skiing), Declan Farmer (sled hockey), Jake Adicoff (Nordic skiing), Jen Lee (sled hockey), Keith Gabel (snowboarding), Kevin McKee (sled hockey) and Travis Dodson (sled hockey).

“It is a privilege to support this exceptional Team USA delegation as they prepare to compete,” said Finbarr Kirwan, USOPC senior vice president of Olympic and Paralympic sport and Team USA Chef de Mission for the 2026 Paralympic Games. “The 2026 U.S. Paralympic Team brings together accomplished returning Paralympians and athletes making their debut, creating a powerful blend of experience and emerging talent. Their collective skill, heart, and determination are unmistakable, and they are ready to deliver world‑class performances in Italy.”

Of the 72 U.S. athletes competing in Milano Cortina, nearly 30% (20 athletes) competed collegiately at 16 different schools. Two teams have over 35% collegiate participation on their U.S. Paralympic rosters, including Nordic skiing (56.3%) and sled hockey (35.3%). College athlete representation on the 2026 U.S. Paralympic Team spans all three NCAA Divisions (I, II and III), as well as collegiate club programs.

The full 2026 U.S. Paralympic team roster, which can be sorted by sport or by state (athlete recognized hometowns), can be viewed here. Any delegation changes following the 2026 U.S. Paralympic Team announcement will be reflected on TeamUSA.com and USOPC.org.  

The Paralympic Winter Games will feature over 660 Paralympic athletes competing in five sports across 79 medal events. The Games will mark the 50th anniversary of the first Paralympic Winter Games and the return of the Games to Italy for the second time in history, 20 years after Torino 2006.

NBCUniversal will showcase more than 270 hours of total programming across NBC, Peacock, USA Network, CNBC, and NBC Sports Digital platforms, along with a record number of primetime hours on NBC. Peacock and USA Network will present live coverage of the Opening Ceremony on Friday, March 6, beginning at 2 p.m. ET. A record number of Paralympic Winter Games coverage hours will be presented on NBC to U.S. viewers, culminating with the sled hockey gold medal game live on Sunday, March 15, at 11:05 a.m. ET.

Fans can continue to visit Making Team USA presented by Xfinity, with official partner Eli Lilly and Company, to follow along the athletes’ journey. 

Follow Team USA in Milano Cortina

Team USA fans can follow the 2026 U.S. Paralympic Team at TeamUSA.com and across Team USA’s social channels on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. The U.S. Paralympic Team microsite will offer Team USA results from the Paralympic Winter Games, as well as athlete biographies, sport storylines and more.      

                                              
The USOPC has launched its Team USA Milano Cortina 2026 media hub, where media can find Paralympic Winter Games operations and information, National Governing Body press officer contact information, breaking news, history books and more. The USOPC will continue to add on-the-ground information, including details on pre-Games press conferences, high-demand ticketing and more to this website. 

2026 U.S. Paralympic Team Facts

• Twenty-five states are represented on the U.S. roster with Minnesota (8), Wisconsin (7), Colorado (6) and Massachusetts (6) boasting the largest number of athletes.
• The roster includes 48 men and 20 women and four male guides.
• The Para Nordic skiing team includes three multi-sport athletes Oksana Masters (Para-cycling), Aaron Pike (Para track and field) and Kendall Gretsch (paratriathlon) who return to the Paralympic stage just two years after an incredible run at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games where the women combined for a total of two golds and one silver medal.
• Oksana Masters returns to the Paralympic Winter Games as the most decorated U.S. Winter Paralympian of all-time and the only American athlete to win seven medals in a single Paralympic Games.
• There are nine athletes who self-identify as military including, four Army, three Marine and two Navy veterans.
• The U.S. Para Alpine Ski Team holds the largest sport delegation for the U.S. with a total of 23 athletes and one guide named to the team.
• Two athletes head to Milano Cortina with seven Paralympic Games appearances on their resumes – Oksana Masters (Para Nordic) and Aaron Pike (Para Nordic) - while Laurie Stephens (Para alpine skiing) boasts five.
• December is the most popular birth month with nine athletes celebrating in the month.

• There are 14 athletes who self-identify as parents, including five mothers and nine fathers.
• Maragaret Gustafson (Para Alpine skiing) is the youngest athlete on the team at the age of 16. Stephen Emt (wheelchair curling) is the oldest athlete for the U.S. delegation at the age of 52.
• Sled hockey remains the most decorated team in the sport’s history heading to Milan with four consecutive titles and five overall Paralympic golds.
• Milano Cortina 2026 will mark the first time that mixed curling doubles will be added to the Paralympic Winter Games program.