Natalie Wilkie, a Para nordic skiing athlete from Salmon Arm, has been selected as one of Team Canada’s flag-bearers for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.
The Canadian Paralympic Committee announced the selection today. Tyler McGregor, captain of Canada’s para ice hockey team, will carry the other flag alongside Wilkie.
Wilkie has competed at two Paralympic Winter Games, winning seven medals. She is considered one of the world’s most successful Para nordic skiers. At age 17, she won a medal of each colour in her Paralympic debut at PyeongChang 2018. She added four more medals at Beijing 2022 — two gold, one silver and one bronze — and is the reigning Para biathlon Crystal Globe winner as the overall champion in the women’s standing category.
Wilkie shared her excitement, saying it is such an honour to be selected as one of the flag-bearers for Team Canada.
“I remember watching my coach, Brian McKeever, carry the flag in 2018 and seeing how proud he was during the ceremony. So, to follow in his footsteps and hold that same honour is amazing. I’m grateful for this opportunity, and so excited to wave the flag for a country I’m so proud to represent,” she said.
The opening ceremony will take place in Verona, which is not a competition cluster for the Games. As a result, Canadian teammates based in other clusters will not attend the ceremony and will instead be celebrated in their respective villages.
Secretary of State (Sport) Adam van Koeverden said he is beyond proud of both Wilkie and McGregor.
“This honour recognizes the leadership, dedication and respect you have earned through your performances and contributions to the team. Carrying the Canadian flag at the Paralympic Games is a profound responsibility, and you will lead your teammates onto the world stage with pride.”
Mac Marcoux, honorary captain, Milano Cortina 2026 Canadian Paralympic Team said it is such she is so excited to see them carry the flags.
“Natalie and Tyler have truly earned this opportunity by exemplifying what it means to be strong leaders both in the field of play and as athletes representing Canada on the world stage. Congrats to them both and I can’t wait to cheer them on at the Games,” she said.
Wilkie is scheduled to compete March 7 in the biathlon sprint. She will race in the women’s standing event at 12 p.m. local time at the Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium in the Val di Fiemme region.
