Cross-country skier Natalie Wilkie of Salmon Arm, British Columbia and para ice hockey player Tyler McGregor of Forest, Ontario have been named flag bearers for Team Canada in the opening ceremonies of the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games in Milan/Cortina d’Ampezzo on March 6.
Wilkie, who lost four fingers during a school woodworking class while in grade nine, has won seven medals at the Winter Paralympic Games in the past. She won three gold medals, two silver medals and two bronze medals. Her gold medals came in the women’s 7.5 kilometre classic standing at the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang, and in the women’s 1.5 kilometre sprint standing and the women’s 15 kilometre classic standing at the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing. Also at the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang, Wilkie won silver in the 4×2.5 kilometre mixed relay and bronze in the women’s 1.5 kilometre sprint classic standing. At the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing, Wilkie also won silver in the women’s 10 kilometre free standing and the 4×2.5 kilometre mixed relay.
McGregor has won three Paralympic medals in para ice hockey in the past. He won silver in Pyeongchang and Beijing, and bronze in Sochi. McGregor, who lost his leg to cancer, has also won three gold medals at the World Para Ice Hockey Championships.
