Canada's Paralympic athletes are making noise at the Milano-Cortina Winter Games, and for Ottawa sports fans, the storyline is worth following closely.
Graeme Hudak and Mark Arendz each claimed bronze medals in cross-country skiing at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Paralympics. Canada's latest additions to a growing medal haul at the Games. For the National Capital Region, these are athletes whose dedication to Para sport represents exactly the kind of excellence that Ottawa prides itself on championing.
Mark Arendz: The Legend Still Going
Arendz, Canada's most decorated Para biathlete, is chasing his 14th career Paralympic medal at these Games, a number that puts him in rarefied company in the history of Canadian Para sport. He competes in biathlon, a punishing combination of cross-country skiing and rifle shooting that demands both physical endurance and precise mental control.
His career has spanned multiple Paralympic cycles, and he continues to perform at the highest level. Ottawa has a deep tradition of celebrating Para athletes, and Arendz deserves to be household-name famous in this city.
The Charge Behind Canada's Medal Run
Canada's performance in cross-country Para skiing this year is part of a broader push by the Canadian Paralympic Committee to build depth beyond its traditional medal events. The bronze medals won by Hudak and Arendz in the mixed relay reflect a squad that has been investing in program development for years.
How to Follow the Action
Milano-Cortina's Paralympics run through March 16. CBC has full coverage across its platforms, and the Games are streaming on CBC Gem. If you've never watched Para biathlon or Para cross-country skiing before, this is a genuinely spectacular way to discover two sports that are far more thrilling than they might sound.
For Ottawa parents looking to introduce kids to the Paralympics, this year's Canadian team gives you plenty of heroes to point to, athletes who compete at the absolute peak of their sport.
Source: CBC Sports
