KAWARTHA LAKES-The Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games open today and Dunsford’s Jon Thurston is there.
The games take place in the Arena di Verona, will showcase around 665 athletes competing in 79 medal events across six sports including Para alpine skiing, Para biathlon, Para cross-country skiing, Para ice hockey, Para snowboard and wheelchair curling.
Thurston is the third/vice skip for Team Canada’s wheelchair curling team.
Team Canada will take to the ice for the first time on Saturday at 12:35 p.m. eastern against host Italy.
The 10-team field will compete for four playoff spots. The semifinal format will be first vs. fourth and second vs. third determining the medal finalists.
Canada has earned a medal at every Paralympic Games since wheelchair curling made its debut in 2006 capturing gold in 2006, 2010, and 2014, before earning bronze in 2018 and 2022.
Jon was part of the bronze medal winning team in 2022.
The Closing Ceremony will take place on 15 March 2026 in the renovated Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, former venue of the 1956 Olympic Winter Games.
