Brazil Makes History at 2026 Winter Paralympics with First Medal and Largest Delegation
Brazil clinched its first Winter Paralympic medal and sent its largest-ever team to Milan-Cortina 2026, marking its best performance yet.
- • Brazil won its first Winter Paralympic medal, a silver by Cristian Ribera in cross-country skiing.
- • The 2026 delegation with eight athletes was Brazil's largest ever at the Winter Paralympics.
- • Brazil finished 22nd in the medal standings, its highest position to date.
- • Vitória Machado became the first Brazilian woman to compete in snowboarding at the Winter Paralympics.
Key details
The 2026 Winter Paralympics in Milan-Cortina concluded on March 15 with Brazil achieving its best performance ever. Marking a significant milestone, Christian Ribera won Brazil's first-ever Winter Paralympic medal—a silver in the men's one-kilometer sprint cross-country skiing event. Brazil also sent its largest delegation to date, consisting of eight athletes, including four from the São Paulo Team, which is supported by a R$ 8.2 million state investment promoting inclusion and athlete development.
Ribera and teammate Aline Rocha both secured impressive fifth-place finishes in the 20 km sitting cross-country races, demonstrating Brazil's growing competitiveness. Notably, Vitória Machado made history as the first Brazilian woman to compete in snowboard at the Winter Paralympics. Other team members included Elena Sena, Wellington da Silva, Guilherme Rocha, and Robelson Lula, with André Barbieri, recently recovered from injury, serving as the flag bearer during the closing ceremony.
Finished 22nd overall in the medal standings—the highest ranking Brazil has ever achieved in Winter Paralympic competition—this success was celebrated by Marcos da Costa, Secretary of the State Secretariat for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, who praised the team’s breakthroughs and the São Paulo Team’s contributions.
Athletes expressed gratitude for the support received and ambition for future competitions, particularly targeting the 2030 Winter Paralympics in France. This milestone underlines Brazil's growing presence in winter sports and its commitment to promoting accessibility and excellence across all athletic disciplines.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
Source articles (2)
Source comparison
Event date
Sources report different events for the medal win
pessoacomdeficiencia.sp.gov.br
"Cristian Ribera secured a silver in the cross-country sprint event on March 10."
exame.com
"Cristian Ribera secured a silver medal in the one-kilometer sprint event for seated cross-country skiers."
Why this matters: One source states Cristian Ribera won a silver medal in the cross-country sprint on March 10, while the other claims it was in the one-kilometer sprint event. This discrepancy affects the understanding of the specific achievement and timing of the medal win.
Athlete results
Sources report different placements for Aline Rocha in the biathlon and mixed relay events
pessoacomdeficiencia.sp.gov.br
"Aline Rocha placed fifth in the men's and women's 20 km sitting cross-country events."
exame.com
"Aline Rocha also placed seventh in the biathlon and contributed to a seventh-place finish in the mixed relay."
Why this matters: One source mentions Aline Rocha finishing fifth in the women's category of the 20-kilometer race, while the other states she placed seventh in the biathlon and contributed to a seventh-place finish in the mixed relay. This discrepancy changes the understanding of her performance in the events.