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2026 Winter Paralympics: 50 Years of History, The Beginning of a New Challenge
On March 6, 2026, the Winter Paralympics kicked off in Milan-Cortina, marking a symbolic 50th anniversary and launching as the largest event ever held. Running through March 15, this competition features over 600 athletes battling across 6 sports and 79 medal events. The sheer numbers alone testify to the expansion and evolution of the Games. But amid this historic moment, what will the U.S. team look like?
The first striking highlight is wheelchair curling. The U.S. secured early qualification for both wheelchair curling categories—mixed doubles and mixed team—making it the first discipline on the U.S. roster to clinch a Paralympic spot for 2026. From the outset, the team leaves a strong impression as a ‘well-prepared squad.’
Especially noteworthy is the introduction of the new mixed doubles format, which offers a clear viewing highlight. Teams of one man and one woman compete under the unique rule where sweeping (ice brushing) is prohibited, putting the emphasis on precise shots and strategic decisions far more than traditional curling. The U.S. pairs veteran three-time Paralympian Steve Emt with partner Laura Dowey, who have already proven their mettle by claiming the 2025 U.S. title and delivering strong performances at the World Championships.
In mixed team curling, Matthew Thums, who gained invaluable experience in Beijing 2022, serves as the linchpin. Joining him is returning Beijing competitor Oyuna Uranchimeg, bolstering the team’s strength. Together, they recorded a remarkable 6–0 undefeated run in the 2024 World Wheelchair Mixed Doubles Championship round robin, making them the ‘steady combination’ the U.S. eagerly counts on.
The event schedule is already underway. Round-robin matches began on March 4, with medal rounds focused on the following dates:
- March 11: Mixed Doubles Gold and Bronze Medal Matches
- March 13: Mixed Team Bronze Medal Match
- March 14: Mixed Team Gold Medal Match
On this grand stage commemorating 50 years of Paralympic history, the U.S. team aims to prove its presence not by scale, but by precision and adaptability. New rules, fresh formats, and the return of familiar champions—all combine to make the U.S. team’s journey in the 2026 Winter Paralympics exceptionally compelling.
Wheelchair Curling: The Fusion of Tradition and Innovation — 2026 Winter Paralympics
The U.S. team has secured its spot in the wheelchair curling event at the 2026 Winter Paralympics earlier than anyone else, raising expectations all around. Notably, the newly introduced Mixed Doubles format is catching attention as a game-changer that redefines the familiar rules of curling.
What’s Different About Mixed Doubles at the 2026 Winter Paralympics?
This Mixed Doubles format features teams composed of one man and one woman, but the key twist is the complete elimination of sweeping. Without sweeping, there is less opportunity for last-second fine-tuning on the ice. As a result, players must nail their shots perfectly from start to finish, shifting the game’s focus from power and speed to precision and judgment. Each decision can directly translate into points, dramatically heightening the tension of every end.
U.S. Team Watchlist for the 2026 Winter Paralympics
- Mixed Doubles: Veteran Steve Emt (56), the only three-time Paralympian on the U.S. team, teamed up with Laura Dwyer (48) to clinch the 2025 U.S. Mixed Doubles title. The duo secured a 9th place finish at the World Championships, locking in their Olympic debut, with experience and composure standing out as their strongest assets.
- Mixed Team: Matthew Toomes (49) is the sole returning Paralympian from the team that placed 5th at Beijing 2022. Alongside him, Oyuna Uranchimeg (52), also a Beijing alumna, forms a powerful pair that went undefeated with a 6-0 record in the round robin of the 2024 World Wheelchair Mixed Doubles Championship, positioning them as a duo to watch.
Mark Your Calendar: Medal Moments at the 2026 Winter Paralympics
The round robin started March 4, with medal matches concentrated on these key dates:
- March 11: Mixed Doubles Gold and Bronze Medal Matches
- March 13: Mixed Team Bronze Medal Match
- March 14: Mixed Team Gold Medal Match
In this new “game of precision,” all eyes will be on whether the U.S. can translate early selection confidence into podium results. This is the ultimate storyline to follow in wheelchair curling at the 2026 Winter Paralympics.
The Story of the U.S. Mixed Doubles Team: Veterans and Rookies at the 2026 Winter Paralympics
Steve Emt, a player whose record of three Paralympic appearances speaks volumes, knows how to read critical moments and withstand the pressure of grand stages. Joining him is partner Laura Dwyer, and together, the U.S. mixed doubles team steps onto the 2026 Winter Paralympics stage riding the firm foundation of their 2025 title as U.S. Champions. This pairing boasts both experience and an upward trajectory, yet this challenge is far from a “familiar game.”
At this tournament, mixed doubles will be played under a new format, with sweeping strictly prohibited. This means that once a stone slides out, it’s harder to control variables, making each delivery directly impactful on the score and momentum. Emt’s seasoned expertise could shine brightest in this setting. Rather than waiting for opponents’ mistakes, it becomes critical to build a solid house from the outset and seize the final shot to clinch victory.
Dwyer’s role is equally vital. In mixed doubles, one player’s slip can topple an entire end, so accuracy and communication form the backbone of their strength. Though the duo proved their chemistry by winning the 2025 U.S. title together, the process of securing qualification by finishing 9th at the World Championships also underscores a stark reality. To close the gap with top-tier competitors, it will take more than good shots—it demands flawless game management with minimal errors.
This Italian stage holds special meaning for Emt as well; with his wife being Italian, he views this event not merely as a competition but as a “meaningful journey.” Thus, one question converges: Can the veteran’s savvy and the rookie partner’s focus craft the precision necessary to contend for medals under sweeping-free new rules?
The Return of Beijing Veterans and the Power of Teamwork: Why the U.S. Mixed Team Is Highly Anticipated at the 2026 Winter Paralympics
Matthew Thums, who finished fifth at the 2022 Beijing Games, is stepping back onto the ice. With the addition of Oyun Urchimeg, the U.S. mixed team has been able to rebuild its lineup around players who truly understand the value of experience. Notably, Urchimeg and Thums dominated the 2024 World Wheelchair Mixed Doubles Championship round-robin with an undefeated 6-0 record, highlighting that their partnership goes beyond a simple veteran effect—it represents a proven winning formula.
The significance of their return to the 2026 Winter Paralympics stage is crystal clear. Wheelchair curling is a sport where a single small mistake can shake an entire end, and the ability to read the flow of the game and respond to unpredictable variables often determines victory. Having battled among the top contenders in Beijing, Thums is expected to excel in shot selection and risk management at critical moments, while Urchimeg’s steady performance contributes to systematically accumulating points throughout the round-robin phase.
Ultimately, the core strength of the mixed team lies not in a single super shot but in the cumulative advantage built through teamwork. With two veterans who have already harmonized their styles and tempo anchoring the team, the U.S. mixed team can reduce unnecessary trial and error from the very start, swiftly adapting strategies according to opponents with a flexible approach—bringing them one step closer to the medal podium.
The Fierce Battle for Medals and a Preview of the Schedule: 2026 Winter Paralympics
As the medal matches for mixed doubles and mixed team events are set to begin on March 11, how will the US team meet fans’ expectations with their strategies and outcomes? Witness the victorious moments unfold live. The wheelchair curling round-robin has already started on March 4, fueling excitement as the “decisive days” with medals on the line rapidly approach.
Medal Days: Key Dates to Watch
- March 11: Mixed Doubles Gold and Bronze Medal Matches
- March 13: Mixed Team Bronze Medal Match
- March 14: Mixed Team Gold Medal Match
In other words, how steadily teams secure wins in the early round-robin rounds will determine their fate in the medal matchups starting March 11. Especially in curling, where one mistake can be fatal, teams that maintain a “good flow” into the medal rounds hold the advantage.
The US Focus: A Strategy Built on ‘Precision’
A notable change to watch in this tournament is the new mixed doubles format. With the sweeping ban, precision in delivery angle, strength, and line reading becomes more crucial than brute force or speed. The US is expected to operate with this approach in mind:
- Early ends: Minimize risks and build a solid foundation centered on guards and draws
- Middle ends: Capitalize steadily on opponents’ small mistakes to gain 1–2 points incrementally
- Late ends: Favor a conservative strategy that maximizes the success rate of the ‘last shot’ rather than attempting risky comebacks
Lineup Sparks High Expectations: Experience and Reproducibility
The mixed doubles pair of Steve Emt and Laura Dwyer, 2025 US titleholders, excel at maintaining routines under pressure. On the mixed team side, Matthew Sams, a Beijing 2022 veteran, anchors the lineup, joined by Beijing alumna Oyuna Uranchimeg, enhancing the team’s stability in game management. In medal matches, where “one or two opportunities” are everything, this wealth of experience can translate directly into points.
From March 11 onward, results will be finalized. The US team pushing the boundaries of this new format’s ‘precision battle,’ and the outcomes they craft in mixed doubles and mixed team events—these will be the most electrifying moments of the 2026 Winter Paralympics.
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