Canadian Paralympians celebrated at home after Milano Cortina 2026

OTTAWA – Jon Thurston received a hero’s welcome at the Peterborough Memorial Centre last week as his hometown celebrated his gold medal as part of Canada’s wheelchair curling team at the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.

For many Canadian Paralympians, the return home brought something new: packed celebrations, increased media attention and communities rallying behind their performances like never before.

Thurston, who lives in nearby Dunsford, hosted a booth to chat with fans and sign autographs and later did the ceremonial face-off for the OHL’s Peterborough Petes game held before a sellout crowd.

‘’Lots of messages and congratulations and connecting with people,’’ Thurston told Global News. Canada’s vice-skip delivered the shot of the tournament at the Games which was viewed millions of times on CBC’s social media channels.

‘’It’s been a lot of fun to see friends and family and connect to the people who have supported me in my journey to get to the Paralympics again.’’

While it was a second Games for Thurston, Para ice hockey player Shawn Burnett completed his first Paralympics helping Canada to the silver medal for the third straight Games.

A fiery competitor, Burnett like his teammates was in Italy with one objective: the gold. While the runner-up position still stings, the experience will forever be etched in his memory.

“It was really special,’’ said the 22-year-old from McMasterville, Que., told l’Oeil Régional.  ‘’I never expected to get so much attention. It warmed my heart to receive so much encouragement from family and acquaintances. I also saw lots of other messages of support come through. I feel lucky to have received all of that.”

The result is still sinking in for Burnett’s teammate and goaltender Corbin Watson. His family says community support at these Games was far greater than in his previous two Paralympic appearances.

 “It was nice to see. In previous games, it’s been spotty, but it was nice to just see the community rally behind him and want to support him,” said his sister Nicole Lefebvre to CBC Windsor.

 “I’m just proud to see him back at the Paralympic stage and competing again and playing against the best.”

Tyler McGregor, the Para ice hockey team’s captain from Forest, Ont., says the biggest difference this year was the attention his fourth Games received.

“There was a lot more media attention, a lot more excitement and build up,” McGregor told CTV News

“We set attendance records. The coverage back home reached levels that have never been seen before. ‘’When you really get to know the athletes and their stories of courage and resilience, it resonates with people.’’

Mark Ideson, Canada’s wheelchair curling skip, hasn’t rested on his laurels since his triumph. After the Games he resumed his coaching duties and guided his daughter Brooklyn Ideson and Owen Henry to the 2026 Canadian U-21 Mixed Doubles World Qualifier title. The pair will represent Canada at the upcoming World Junior Mixed Doubles Championship, starting May 5, in Edmonton.

“I love hearing stories about where people were and how they were yelling at their screens on those last few seconds,’’ Ideson, told the Parry Sound North Star. He delivered the golden shot under extreme duress in the gold medal game against China.

Triple Games medallists, Kalle Eriksson and his guide Sierra Smith were celebrated at the Para alpine skiing national championships recently held in Kimberley, B.C., Eriksson’s hometown. One of the big highlights of the week was hosting the Homecoming Party for all the Paralympians.

“It was so great to see so many members of our community come out to congratulate our Canadian medal winners and especially given one of them, Kalle Eriksson, is from Kimberley,” said Donna Briggs, co-chair of the event told the Trail Times. 

‘’Eriksson and Smith stepped off the podium after taking first place in the men’s visually impaired Super G and started signing autographs and taking photos with dozens of excited Kimberley residents,’’ wrote the Times.

“We were so excited to have our Para alpine family back racing in Kimberley again this year,” said Lloyd Steeves of Dreadnaught Ski Racing.  “Talks are already underway for a potential high profile Para event in 2027 so our fingers are crossed that this can come to fruition.”

Like Paris 2024 before it, Milano Cortina 2026 marked another step forward for the Paralympic movement. For Canada’s athletes, the hope is that the recognition they’ve earned continues to grow in the years ahead.