Tyler McGregor and Natalie Wilkie Lead Canada as Paralympic Flag Bearers

A delightful surprise awaited Tyler McGregor and Natalie Wilkie as they learned they would be flag bearers for Canada at the Milan Cortina Paralympic Winter Games, starting on March 6, 2026. Initially, they believed they were attending routine media interviews with the Canadian Paralympic Committee. However, they were greeted by CPC’s chief sport officer, Catherine Gosselin-Despres, and honorary captain Mac Marcoux, who delivered the exciting news.

Canada’s Flag Bearers: Tyler McGregor and Natalie Wilkie

Tyler McGregor, co-captain of the para hockey team, expressed his surprise and excitement at the news. “It was shocking, I think, to both of us,” he said. Similarly, Natalie Wilkie, a standout in Nordic skiing, mentioned that being named flag bearer was an unexpected honor. “This is something that I’ve been dreaming of for a long time,” Wilkie stated.

The Ceremony Details

The opening ceremony will occur at Arena Di Verona, the same location as the Olympics’ closing ceremony. Although Verona is not a competition venue for the Paralympics, McGregor and Wilkie will carry the flag inside their respective team villages. Wilkie’s events will take place in Tesero, near Cortina, while McGregor will compete at Milano Santa Giulia Ice Hockey Arena.

Upcoming Paralympic Competitions

Action begins on March 7, the official Day 1 of the Games. The Canadian flag bearers will participate in competitions that day:

• McGregor and the para hockey team will face Slovakia.
• Wilkie will compete in the women’s standing biathlon sprint.

Canada is sending a total of 50 athletes to these Paralympics, aiming to surpass their impressive performance in Beijing 2022, where they achieved 25 medals, including eight golds.

A Legacy of Excellence

Natalie Wilkie, 25, hails from Salmon Arm, British Columbia. She made her Paralympic debut at Pyeongchang 2018, where she became the youngest athlete on Team Canada. She earned a medal of each color during her first Games followed by a remarkable four-medal haul, including two golds in Beijing 2022. “Every day is a new day, and I try to not have any expectations,” Wilkie shared.

Now in her third Olympic Games, Wilkie sees herself as a mentor for younger athletes, inspired by Canadian legendary athlete Brian McKeever, who is now the cross-country coach.

Tyler McGregor, 31, from Forest, Ontario, is participating in his fourth Paralympics. He debuted with a bronze medal in 2014, followed by two silver medals in subsequent Games. McGregor, a co-captain of the hockey team along with veteran Greg Westlake, is optimistic about their chances in Milan. “The vibes are high, and there’s a lot of belief within this team right now,” he stated.

As both athletes prepare to carry the Canadian flag, they emphasize their pride in representing their country at such a prestigious event. “I’m so proud to be Canadian. This one feels different,” McGregor said.

The excitement builds as Canada looks forward to the upcoming competitions at the Milan Cortina Paralympic Winter Games.