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) on Wednesday. Additionally, five competing athletes have been selected as co-captains to join the leadership team.
The co-captains, including wheelchair curler Ina Forrest, hockey player Tyler McGregor, nordic skier Brittany Hudak, snowboarder Tyler Turner, and alpine skier Alexis Guimond, will play crucial roles as “leaders and public faces of the Canadian Paralympic Team,” according to a CPC press release. This initiative marks a shift from the traditional chef de mission approach, underscoring the significance of athletes’ leadership during the Games.
Catherine Gosselin-Despres, Chief Sport Officer of the CPC, emphasized the valuable leadership these athletes bring to the team, praising Marcoux for his experience and ongoing dedication to Para sport. Marcoux, a six-time Paralympic medalist, who represented Canada in Sochi 2014, PyeongChang 2018, and Beijing 2022 before retiring in February 2024, expressed his enthusiasm for the role, highlighting his commitment to fostering team unity and sharing his teammates’ stories with a wider audience.
Among the co-captains, Forrest, a decorated wheelchair curler from Spallumcheenhas, B.C., with four Paralympic medals, is preparing for her fifth Paralympics, bringing extensive experience to the team. McGregor, the Para hockey team captain, a three-time Paralympic medalist, expressed honor at leading Team Canada alongside a remarkable group, embodying the values of excellence and unity.
Guimond, representing Gatineau, Que., and preparing for his third Paralympics, reflected on shouldering the nation’s dreams and the culmination of years of hard work. Hudak, a veteran Para nordic athlete from Prince Albert, Sask., with three Paralympic bronze medals, described the co-captaincy as an “incredible honor and responsibility,” emphasizing the values of resilience and unity within the team.
Turner, who made history by securing Canada’s first gold medal in Para snowboarding, expressed his commitment to representing the team proudly and promoting Para sport with enthusiasm. The Milan-Cortina Paralympics, scheduled from March 6-15, will showcase athletes competing in various disciplines, with the Canadian representatives set to be revealed gradually leading up to the Games.
