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2026 Paralympics to Showcase Women's Para Ice Hockey for First Time

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, January 7th 2026 at 19:19 GMT by NPR

Milan/Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy - January 8, 2026 - The 2026 Winter Paralympic Games in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo are poised to mark a watershed moment for para ice hockey, specifically for female athletes with disabilities. For decades, these athletes have faced systemic barriers to participation in the sport at the highest level, relegated to integrating into mixed-gender teams that often didn't fully highlight their capabilities. Now, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is taking a monumental step towards inclusivity with the introduction of a women's para ice hockey demonstration event, scheduled to run from March 6-12.

This marks the first time women's para ice hockey will be showcased on the Paralympic stage, a development years in the making and fueled by the tireless advocacy of players and supporters. The demonstration event will see four national teams - Canada, the United States, China, and a unified European team - compete, offering a crucial opportunity to prove the viability and appeal of a dedicated women's tournament.

Para ice hockey, formerly known as sledge hockey, is a thrilling and physically demanding sport played by athletes with physical impairments. Players utilize specially designed sleds and sticks to skillfully maneuver the puck across the ice, demanding immense upper body strength, agility, and strategic thinking. While the men's tournament has been a consistent fixture of the Paralympic Games since 1994, women's participation has been historically limited, often sidelined or absorbed into mixed teams. This integration, while well-intentioned, hasn't allowed female athletes to fully demonstrate their skill and compete independently.

"This is huge," declares Michelle Lombardi, a member of the U.S. team and a vocal advocate for the advancement of women's para ice hockey. "It's been a long time coming. We've been fighting for this for years." Her sentiment echoes the decades-long struggle for equitable access and recognition within the sport. Elisha Nadeau of the Canadian team adds, "The opportunity to compete on the Paralympic stage is a dream come true. It's going to inspire so many other women with disabilities to get involved in the sport."

The decision to include a demonstration event isn't without its logistical challenges. Organizers are diligently working to ensure full accessibility throughout the venues and to secure adequate ice time for the women's matches. Finding a sufficient number of qualified referees and classifiers - individuals responsible for assessing athletes' eligibility based on their impairments - also presents a hurdle. Classifier consistency is critical to maintaining fair competition, and increasing the number of trained personnel is an ongoing priority.

However, Lombardi and Nadeau remain optimistic. They believe that showcasing women's para ice hockey at the Paralympics will generate increased awareness, attract much-needed sponsorship, and most importantly, build a strong foundation for a permanent inclusion in future Games. The hope is that the exposure will not only benefit the current athletes but also inspire a new generation of girls and women with disabilities to pick up a stick and experience the empowering joy of para ice hockey.

Beyond the immediate competition, the demonstration event is expected to accelerate the growth of women's para ice hockey programs globally. Currently, the development of these programs lags significantly behind those for men. Investment in grassroots initiatives, coaching education, and accessible training facilities will be critical to sustaining momentum following the Games.

The IPC's commitment to gender equality and inclusivity has been a driving force behind this change. The inclusion of women's para ice hockey aligns with the organization's broader goals of providing equal opportunities for all athletes, regardless of gender or disability. This demonstration event is not just about a single competition; it's about challenging perceptions, breaking down barriers, and fostering a more inclusive sporting landscape. The eyes of the world will be on Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo this March, and the women of para ice hockey are ready to show the world what they're capable of.