With the 2026 Winter Paralympic Games in Italy just nine weeks away alpine skier, Michael Milton, is confident he will compete in at least two events, 20 years after retiring from competitive skiing and staging a remarkable comeback.
If selected in the Australian team, it will be the sixth time Michael will pull on the Australian uniform for a winter Paralympic Games. He first competed as a 14 year old in Innsbruck Austria in 1988, and won his first gold medal – and Australia’s first ever winter gold medal – at the Albertville Paralympic Games in 1992. He retired at the 2006 Games in Italy with a career total of six gold, three silver and two bronze medals, including a clean sweep of the alpine events at the 2002 Paralympic Games in Salt Lake.
If all goes to plan, the 52-year-old will return to Italy after 20 years to compete for Australia after a comeback that started just three months ago. In September he won the Giant Slalom at the Australian Championships and, in doing so, qualified in the first of five alpine skiing events.
Michael spent five weeks training and racing in Europe at the end of 2025 where he also qualified to race Slalom at the Paralympic Games. He plans to travel to the US mid-January for more training and a chance to qualify for the speed events – Downhill, Super-G and Combined.
But, regardless of the outcome of the races in the US, Michael expects to be announced in the Australian team in February and head to Italy early March to race at the highest level once again.
“I have really enjoyed racing again after all this time. I’ve had cancer twice since retiring in 2006 and so I am just so happy to be alive. Being able to race again is a huge bonus. Mentally I’m in a totally different place: I’m more relaxed, I find real joy in the sensation of skiing, I take time to look around and enjoy the amazing scenery. It could be because of cancer or maybe it’s just getting older, but I’m definitely more aware of the experience outside winning medals,” explained Michael.
There are only a handful of Australian athletes who have competed at seven or more Paralympic Games. They include:
- Shooter, Libby Kosmala, who leads the way with 12 appearances
- Wheelchair racer / table tennis player, Danni De Toro, competed at eight Games
- Wheelchair racer, Angie Ballard, has been to seven Games
As far as winter Paralympic Games appearances, Michael tops the list with five (and one summer Games) ahead of:
- Kyrra Grunnsund who represented Australia at four winter Games (and one summer)
- Melissa Perrine, Mitch Gourley and Cameron Rahles-Rabula who are all four-time winter Paralympians.
The Australian team for the 2026 Cortina Milan Paralympic Games is expected to be announced mid-February ahead of the opening ceremony on 6th March 2026.
Paralympic Games appearances by Michael Milton
⛷️1988 Paralympic Games in Innsbruck, Austria
⛷️1992 Paralympic Games in Albertville, France🥇🥉
⛷️1994 Paralympic Games in Lillehammer, Norway🥇🥈🥉🥉
⛷️2002 Paralympic Games in Salt Lake City, US🥇🥇🥇🥇
⛷️2006 Paralympic Games in Torina, Italy🥈
🚴🏻2008 Paralympic Games (summer) in Beijing, China
IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships appearances by Michael Milton
⛷️1996 World Championships in Lech, Austria 🥇🥈🥉
⛷️2000 World Championships in Anzere, Switzerland 🥇🥇🥇🥈
⛷️2004 World Championships in Wildshonau, Austria 🥇🥇🥈🥈