Top Paralympic Winter Games moments: Italy

Milan: The Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games promise to deliver unforgettable moments. Up to 665 athletes from around 50 National Paralympic Committees are set to compete in six sports – Para alpine skiing, Para biathlon, Para cross-country, Para ice hockey, Para snowboard, and wheelchair curling. 

Italian athletes have taken the spotlight since making their Paralympic Winter Games debut at Geilo 1980, winning 73 medals – 16 gold, 25 silver, and 32 bronze. And they are preparing to excite the home crowd at Milano Cortina 2026.

With less than one year to go until the 10-day spectacle, let’s take a look at some of Italy’s top moments from the Paralympic Winter Games.

Maurizio Cagol was the only athlete to represent Italy at Geilo 1980. Twenty-four athletes competed at Innsbruck 1988, with Para alpine skier Bruno Oberhammer and Para cross-country skier Paolo Lorenzini winning the country’s first gold medals.

Oberhammer, who won bronze on his Paralympic debut at Innsbruck 1984, topped the podium twice in the men’s B3 category. He won the giant slalom and downhill events, beating Canada’s Uli Rompel in both races.

Paolo Lorenzini earned three medals in Innsbruck, including gold in the men’s long distance 30km B3 race and two bronze medals. Lorenzini competed at six Paralympic Winter Games from Innsbruck 1984-Salt Lake City 2002.

Oberhammer competed at three more Paralympic Winter Games, winning another gold, five silver, and three bronze medals.

Silvia Parente was the star of the home Games after becoming the first female Paralympic Winter Games champion. Competing at her fourth Games, Parente won the women’s giant slalom visually impaired event, beating France’s Pascale Casanova by 0.27 seconds.

She also earned three bronze medals on home snow.