Former Para skier Marcoux named honorary captain of Canada’s Paralympic team for Milan-Cortina Games

Former Para alpine skier Mac Marcoux has been named the honorary captain of Canada’s Paralympic team for the Milan-Cortina Games, the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) announced Wednesday.

The leadership team also includes five competing athletes selected as co-captains.

Wheelchair curler Ina Forrest, hockey player Tyler McGregor, nordic skier Brittany Hudak, snowboarder Tyler Turner and alpine skier Alexis Guimond have been chosen to serve as “leaders and public faces of the Canadian Paralympic Team, sharing their teammates’ stories and engaging fans and supporters,” the CPC said in a press release.

While the Canadian Paralympic team has had traditional chefs de mission in the past, these new dedicated roles are part of a new initiative that “recognizes the vital leadership of the athletes at the Games.”

“They are all such experienced Paralympians and dedicated ambassadors for Para sport who provide the Canadian Paralympic Team with valuable leadership,” said Catherine Gosselin-Despres, Chief Sport Officer of the Canadian Paralympic Committee. “Mac was a well-regarded leader during his accomplished career on the slopes and continues to be a leader in Para sport today.

“His vast experience, familiarity with the athletes, and tireless passion for the Paralympic Games make him a great fit as honorary captain.”

The 28-year-old Marcoux, from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., is a six-time Paralympic medallist who competed at Sochi 2014, PyeongChang 2018 and Beijing 2022 before retiring in February 2024. He won two Paralympic titles in the visually impaired category, taking the giant slalom in 2014 and the downhill in 2018.

The CPC says Marcoux’s role will see him work with the co-captains to foster team unity at the Games while also sharing the stories of Canada’s Paralympians and engaging audiences.

“I am absolutely thrilled to be the honorary captain of the Milano Cortina 2026 Canadian Paralympic Team,” Marcoux said. “As an athlete, competing alongside my teammates was one of the highlights of my career, and I am stoked for the opportunity to continue to play a role with the team and bring their stories to more people across the country.

“We have so many amazing athletes getting ready to compete at the Games and I cannot wait to cheer them on in Italy.”

The five co-captains are all leaders in their own sports, with a combined 13 Paralympic medals among them.

Gearing up for her fifth Paralympics, the 63-year-old Forrest is one of Canada’s most decorated curlers and primed to be one of the most experienced members of Canada’s team in Italy.

Forrest, who hails from Spallumcheenhas, B.C., has won four Paralympic medals, including back-to-back titles at Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014. She was part of the Canadian Paralympic Athletes’ Council from 2020-2024.

“To me, the specialness of the Paralympic Games revolves around all the winter sports and athletes coming together as one big Team Canada. It is a supercharging dynamic. The co-captain initiative reflects just that,” Forrest said.

“As the co-captain representing wheelchair curling, I hope to spotlight our team and our journey while together with my fellow co-captains foster team unity and connections between our respective sports.”

Tyler McGregor, captain of Canada’s Para hockey team, has won three medals in three Paralympic appearances, earning silver in 2018 and 2022 after claiming bronze in his debut in 2014.

The 31-year-old from Forest, Ont., is also currently a member of the Canadian Paralympic Athletes’ Council and Hockey Canada’s National Team Athlete Committee.

“Being named co-captain of Team Canada is such an incredible honour,” McGregor said. “The Canadian Paralympic Team represents everything I love about sport: excellence, resilience, pride, and unity.

“I’m grateful to lead alongside such an incredible group and excited to represent Canada as we pursue our best on the global stage.”

Guimond, of Gatineau, Que., is preparing for his third Games and has been one of the most consistent members of Canada’s Para alpine team throughout his career, earning two Paralympic bronze medals and multiple world championship and World Cup podiums.

“Being co-captain and representing my team and Canada at these Paralympics means carrying the dreams of a nation on my shoulders, fuelled by a passion that turns every obstacle into opportunity,” Guimond said. “It’s the culmination of years of hard work, countless hours of training, sacrifices, and triumphs over adversity.”

Brittany Hudak, a 32-year-old from Prince Albert, Sask., has been a member of Canada’s Para nordic squad for over a decade. She has three Paralympic bronze medals, including two from the last Games in Beijing.

She said being named a co-captain is an “incredible honour and responsibility.”

“It means leading by example, supporting my teammates, and upholding the values that define our team – resilience, respect, and unity. I’m looking forward to competing on the world stage and sharing this experience with an amazing group of athletes who inspire me every day.”

Turner, 37, made history in his Paralympic debut four years ago by winning Canada’s first-ever gold medal in Para snowboarding, along with a bronze.

The Campbell River, B.C., native is also the reigning snowboard cross world champion in his category.

“I do not take this position [as co-captain] lightly and will represent the team proudly and aim to be the best ambassador of Para sport possible. Go Canada Go!”

Tyler Turner’s Paralympic journey & Milano-Cortina excitement

The Milan-Cortina Paralympics will run from March 6-15 and feature athletes competing in alpine skiing, hockey, snowboarding, wheelchair curling and nordic skiing — which includes biathlon and cross-country.

The athletes representing Canada in Italy will be announced between November and February.