Winter Paralympics 2026: Ski duo Menna Fitzpatrick and Scott Meenagh will be GB's flagbearers
BBC World
March 3, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Great Britain’s skiing duo Menna Fitzpatrick and Scott Meenagh have been chosen to lead the nation as flagbearers at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo. However, due to their competition schedules on the following day, they will participate virtually through a prerecorded video sequence during the parade at Verona Arena, an ancient Roman amphitheatre. This decision highlights their roles as ambassadors for Team GB while ensuring they remain fully focused on competing.
Menna Fitzpatrick, a visually impaired Welsh Para-Alpine skier, is one of Britain’s most decorated Winter Paralympians with six medals to her name. Despite sustaining a significant knee injury three months ago and recovering from a leg fracture just over a year prior, she remains in peak form ahead of the Games. Fitzpatrick expressed her excitement about representing her country, calling it an “extra cherry on top” of already achieving her goal of competing at Cortina.
Scott Meenagh, a Scottish Para-Nordic skier, will compete in his third Paralympics after debuting in 2018 and returning in 2022. A former member of the Parachute Regiment, Meenagh lost both legs in 2011 during service in Afghanistan. Nevertheless, he has defied these challenges to become the first Briton to win a medal at the World Para Nordic Skiing Championships, securing silver in the 12.5km individual biathlon last year. His selection as a flagbearer reflects his dedication to representing his sport and country with distinction.
This recognition underscores the remarkable resilience of both athletes, who have overcome immense physical challenges to achieve greatness on the global stage.
Verticals
worldpolitics
Originally published on BBC World on 3/3/2026