This article was initially released on Jan 5, 2026.
Kurt Oatway, a seasoned sit-skier, is in his home gym in Calgary, engaging in weightlifting and pull-ups as part of his final preparations for the 2026 Paralympic Games in Italy.Â
At 41 years old, Oatway displays unwavering determination to make a comeback to the global stage following a severe crash that sidelined him and prevented his participation in the 2022 Beijing Paralympics.
“Even before I was rushed to the hospital, I already knew I wouldn’t be heading to China,” Oatway shared during an interview in his kitchen.
The crash occurred during the world championships in Lillehammer, Norway, resulting in multiple fractures, ligament tears, and a punctured lung, just weeks before the Paralympic Games.
“Right there, in the hospital, I made a decision that this wouldn’t be the end,” he affirmed.
The challenging crash added to Oatwayâs already arduous journey, characterized by resilience and determination.
Kurt Oatway, a Para skier, is determined to return to the podium at the Milano-Cortina Paralympic Games after recovering from a severe injury.
‘Recognizing the Potential’
Reared in Edmonton within a family of skiers, Oatway began skiing at the age of five as an able-bodied individual. However, a rock climbing accident in 2007 during his studies at the University of Saskatchewan resulted in a permanent spinal cord injury.
Driven to ski again after