Former Para alpine skier Mac Marcoux has been appointed as the honorary captain of Canada’s Paralympic team for the upcoming Milan-Cortina Games, as announced by the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC). Additionally, five competing athletes have been selected as co-captains to lead and represent the Canadian Paralympic Team, sharing their teammates’ stories and engaging with fans and supporters, according to a press release from the CPC.

In a departure from traditional roles, the new initiative recognizes the significance of athletes’ leadership during the Games. Catherine Gosselin-Despres, the Chief Sport Officer of the Canadian Paralympic Committee, praised the co-captains for their experience and dedication to Para sport, highlighting Mac Marcoux’s exceptional leadership qualities and passion for the Paralympic Games.

Mac Marcoux, a six-time Paralympic medallist from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., who retired in February 2024, will collaborate with the co-captains to promote team unity and share the inspiring narratives of Canada’s Paralympians with audiences. Expressing his enthusiasm, Marcoux stated his eagerness to support his teammates and showcase their stories to a wider audience during the upcoming Games in Italy.

The five co-captains, including wheelchair curler Ina Forrest, hockey player Tyler McGregor, nordic skier Brittany Hudak, snowboarder Tyler Turner, and alpine skier Alexis Guimond, collectively hold 13 Paralympic medals. Forrest, preparing for her fifth Paralympics, remarked on the team spirit and unity that defines the Paralympic Games, emphasizing the importance of spotlighting their journey and fostering connections between different sports.

Tyler McGregor, the Para hockey team captain with three Paralympic medals, expressed his pride in leading Team Canada and representing the values of excellence, resilience, and unity on the global stage. Likewise, other co-captains such as Alexis Guimond, Brittany Hudak, and Tyler Turner, shared their perspectives on the honor and responsibility of representing Canada and their respective sports at the Paralympics.

The Milan-Cortina Paralympics, scheduled from March 6-15, will showcase various winter sports disciplines, with athletes competing in alpine skiing, hockey, snowboarding, wheelchair curling, and nordic skiing. The Canadian athletes set to participate in the Games will be unveiled between November and February leading up to the event.