Former Para alpine skier Mac Marcoux has been appointed as the honorary captain of Canada’s Paralympic team for the upcoming Milan-Cortina Games, as announced by the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) on Wednesday. Alongside Marcoux, five athletes will serve as co-captains, including wheelchair curler Ina Forrest, hockey player Tyler McGregor, nordic skier Brittany Hudak, snowboarder Tyler Turner, and alpine skier Alexis Guimond. These individuals will act as the “leaders and public representatives of the Canadian Paralympic Team,” according to a statement from the CPC.
Unlike previous years where traditional chefs de mission led the team, this new initiative acknowledges the essential leadership role athletes play during the Games. Catherine Gosselin-Despres, the Chief Sport Officer of the Canadian Paralympic Committee, praised the selected athletes for their experience, dedication, and commitment to Para sport. Mac Marcoux, in particular, was highlighted for his leadership qualities both on and off the slopes, making him a fitting choice as the honorary captain.
Marcoux, a 28-year-old native of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, boasts an impressive Paralympic career with six medals from Sochi 2014, PyeongChang 2018, and Beijing 2022. As part of his new role, Marcoux will collaborate with the co-captains to promote team unity, share the stories of Canadian Paralympians, and engage with audiences during the Games. Expressing his excitement, Marcoux stated, “Competing alongside my teammates was a career highlight, and I am thrilled to continue contributing to the team’s success and sharing their stories nationwide.”
In addition to Marcoux, the co-captains bring a wealth of experience to the team, collectively holding 13 Paralympic medals among them. Ina Forrest, a veteran wheelchair curler from Spallumcheenhas, B.C., is set to participate in her fifth Paralympics, having secured four medals, including consecutive titles at Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014. Forrest emphasized the significance of unity and teamwork at the Paralympic Games, which she believes the co-captain initiative embodies.
Tyler McGregor, leading Canada’s Para hockey team, expressed his gratitude for being named co-captain, highlighting the values of excellence, resilience, and unity that the Canadian Paralympic Team represents. McGregor, a three-time Paralympic medalist, aims to inspire his team to achieve their best on the global stage. Meanwhile, Alexis Guimond of Gatineau, Quebec, a two-time Paralympic bronze medalist in Para alpine skiing, emphasized the weight of representing his team and country at the upcoming Games.
Brittany Hudak, a Para nordic athlete from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, with three Paralympic bronze medals to her name, sees her co-captaincy as both an honor and responsibility. Turner, a Para snowboarder from Campbell River, B.C., who clinched Canada’s first-ever gold medal in his discipline, vows to represent the team diligently and promote Para sport advocacy.
The Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympics, scheduled from March 6-15, will feature athletes competing in various winter sports disciplines, including alpine skiing, hockey, snowboarding, wheelchair curling, and nordic skiing. Canada’s representative athletes for the Games will be revealed progressively between November and February.