Day: February 20, 2026

From the circus to Italy, Aussie pair’s para-Nordic bid

Two para‑skiers in matching teal and yellow skinsuits perform a tandem pose in front of a bright turquoise Paralympics Australia backdrop featuring Indigenous‑inspired circular and flowing dot patterns, with one athlete lifting the other piggyback style and raising an arm triumphantly, ski equipment visible at their side and a blurred coastal landscape in the far background.

From the circus to cross-country skiing, Australian duo Taryn Dickens and Lynn Maree Cullen are chasing Paralympic dreams at the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games.

After vision loss led Navy officer Dickens to discover para-Nordic skiing, she teamed up with long-time skier and former Flying Fruit Fly Circus performer Cullen as her sighted guide. Together, they’re breaking new ground for Australian para-Nordic representation, the first since 2010.

Cullen’s decades of experience and Dickens’ determination have quickly made them ones to watch, proving that passion and partnership can take you anywhere, even from Canberra to the Alps.

Regional all abilities grants boost participation

Indoor wheelchair rugby (or wheelchair basketball) training session on a polished wooden court, showing several athletes in sport wheelchairs, one holding a ball, moving and facing each other in play, with sports equipment, spare wheelchairs, and large windows and doors in the background.

From blind cricket and adaptive climbing to accessible surfing and walking hockey, more people with disability in regional Victoria are getting the chance to enjoy the sports they love.

Through the latest Regional All Abilities Participation Grants, 89 local clubs and organisations will share more than $1.6 million to expand inclusive sport and recreation opportunities. Grants of up to $25,000 will help fund adaptive equipment, coaching, new programs and events across the state.

Projects include Mt Baw Baw’s first adaptive snow sports program, inclusive biking in Geelong, and the 2026 Mildura Tri-State Games.

The initiative forms part of the Victorian Government’s $40 million All Abilities Sport Fund, supporting participation for people with disability across regional communities.

World Series 2026 kicks off under open skies and outdoor pool in Australia

Aerial view of an outdoor swimming complex on the waterfront, with a 50‑metre pool in the foreground surrounded by grandstands full of spectators, additional pools and buildings behind, a riverside path and parked cars to the left, city high‑rise skyline in the background under a clear blue sky, and the waterway dotted with boats on the left side of the image.

The 2026 Para Swimming World Series is making a splash under the Australian sun, with the season opener taking place outdoors at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre from 20–22 February.

The event features 164 athletes from around the world, including a 94-strong home team led by Paralympic champions Rowan Crothers and Chloe Osborn. Both will compete in multiple freestyle and butterfly events as Australia aims to set the pace for the season.

This year’s move from Melbourne to the Gold Coast gives swimmers valuable experience in open-air conditions, mirroring those expected at the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.