Salmon Arm athlete 1 of 2 chosen to carry Canadian flag at Paralympics opening ceremony<\/p>\n
Published 4:00 pm Saturday, February 28, 2026<\/p>\n
Salmon Arm cross-country skier Natalie Wilkie will not only be representing Canada on the slopes at the upcoming Paralympic Winter Games, but also at the opening ceremony as a flag bearer.<\/p>\n
The 25-year old skier will join Ontario para ice hockey captain Tyler McGregor in carrying Canadian flags to open the games in Milano Cortina on March 6, with competition beginning the following day.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m incredibly excited and honoured to be named Canada\u2019s flag bearer for the Opening Ceremony, and to share this moment with Tyler McGregor makes it even more special,\u201d Wilkie said in a media release from the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC).<\/p>\n
\u201cI 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\u2019m grateful for this opportunity, and so excited to wave the flag for a country I\u2019m so proud to represent.\u201d<\/p>\n
With seven Paralympic medals in two Games appearances, Wilkie is one of the world\u2019s most successful para nordic skiers. She was a breakout star at her Games debut at PyeongChang 2018 where she won a medal of each colour at just 17, and followed that up at Beijing 2022 with two golds, a silver, and a bronze. Wilkie is also the current reigning Para biathlon Crystal Globe holder as the overall champion in the women\u2019s standing category.<\/p>\n
The opening ceremony will take place in Verona, which isn\u2019t a competition hub for the games. Its location would require significant travel for all Canadian team members, so McGregor, Wilkie and their teammates won\u2019t actually attend the ceremony and instead be celebrated in their respective villages.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the format and location of the Opening Ceremony different for these Games, we made the decision alongside the sports that athletes would not attend and prioritize preparation for their competition the next day,\u201d CPC chief sport officer Catherine Gosselin-Despres explained.\u201dWhile Tyler and Natalie will not be carrying the flag in person, we will be celebrating them in their Villages and amongst the entire Canadian Paralympic Team \u2013 and we are immensely proud to have them lead the team into the start of the Games.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wilkie hits the slopes on March 7, with the biathlon sprint the first competition for Canada\u2019s para nordic skiers, and takes place in the Val di Fiemme region. She is one of 50 athletes representing Canada at Milano Cortina 2026, which runs from March 6 to 15.<\/p>\n
Read more: Salmon Arm\u2019s Natalie Wilkie to compete in her third Paralympic Winter Games<\/a><\/p>\n