Dani Aravich's mission beyond the medals at Milano Cortina 2026
What are Danielle Aravich's big goals at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games? Aravich joined the International Paralympic Committee on a TikTok Live to discuss everything from training tips, to goals beyond the medals and fan experience 15 Dec 2025
Four years ago, Dani Aravich competed in three sports across two Paralympic Games - Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 - just six months apart. Now, she is ready to compete with a new mission at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.
“My biggest goal for Milano Cortina truly is to get more coverage and more people talking about the Paralympics than ever before,” Aravich said during a TikTok Live interview with @Paralympics in November. “I think we saw such a great forward momentum coming out of Paris 2024.”
Instead of focusing on medals at her second Paralympic Winter Games, she hopes to showcase the excitement of Para sports and attract more fans to the Paralympic Movement through her performance or social media posts.
“I'm just really excited to grow the Movement,” she said, adding she wants to “ensure that we get as many eyeballs as possible on Para sport.”
“If I can contribute to that, either on the field of play or through social media or in any type of way, that's all I care about is that more and more fans watch the Paralympic Games.”
Six months, two Paralympics
Aravich, who was born without her right hand and forearm, represented the USA in Para athletics at Tokyo 2020 and Para biathlon and Para cross-country skiing at Beijing 2022.
Speaking during the TikTok Live marking 100 days to go until Milano Cortina 2026, Aravich said she had never imagined competing at the Paralympic Winter Games until she participated in a Team USA training camp alongside star athletes who have competed at both summer and winter Games.
“I saw some of my teammates like Oksana Masters, Kendall Gretsch, Aaron Pike, who have mastered this summer-winter duality and have been doing it for so many years, going back and forth between summer for winter sport and absolutely crushing it.
“I was very inspired by them and thought, ‘Wow, if I could make this possible, that would be phenomenal.”
While her interaction with other athletes was limited at competitions in the lead-up to the Paralympics because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Games offered her the opportunity to get to know athletes from other countries.
At the Paralympic Village, she felt a sense of community for the first time since taking up sports.
“(The Paralympic Village) opens up a whole new world to you, like, ‘Wow, there are people like me out there’,” she recalled. “Because so often, growing up with a physical disability, you feel very alone in a lot of scenarios and situations.
“It's such a cool experience to realise there's an entire community - an entire world out there (of people) who have similarities with you and probably have similar experiences, having either grown up or acquired a physical disability. I'd say that was something that was really cool to get to witness.”
Journey to Milano Cortina 2026
With less than 80 days until Milano Cortina 2026, Aravich wants to make her experience at the Games extra special. After competing at Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022, she chose to skip the Paris 2024 Paralympics and train solely for Milano Cortina 2026.
“I decided that I was really curious about seeing where I could go with cross-country and biathlon. That meant giving up my summer sport, and I’m happy with the decision I made,” she said.
“It was not an easy decision, because, of course, I wanted to go to Paris and compete at the Paralympics. But I’m happy that I stayed true to cross-country skiing and given it four years of attention because the four years have definitely made a huge difference. It would have been way more difficult to get to where I am.”
Training tip: Golden sleep
When it comes to training, she focuses on factors that she can control and does her best every day, while understanding that “best” presents differently at any given moment.
“I can only do as best I can do on that given day. But there are tonnes of factors involved from, the skis I pick to the weather conditions to anything in between. I could trip on the course. I could have so many different things happen.
“So I am still in a place where I just want to see continual improvements, and maybe those continual improvements will result in good placements and good results.
“I want to be proud of myself and the effort because I find I perform better when I'm not stressed about what place I'm in.”
This mental approach sets the necessary foundation for all other aspects of her training, from on the slopes with her usual equipment, and off the slopes with roller skis to her jam-packed schedule.
However, she said her most important aspect is getting her “golden sleep.”
“Sleep is such an important tool, and I can really tell a huge difference when I'm sleeping well at night compared to nights when I go to bed later,” she said.
“As I look at these next 100 days, I think I have 100 days to nail my sleep. Go for gold on sleep, go for all those sleep and then maybe gold can happen in real life.”
How to be the best Paralympic fan
Aravich offers advice on how to be the best fan. It is not difficult, and she says she would be happy to help new fans get accustomed to Para sport.
“To be the best Paralympic fan, find athletes (to follow). If you are interested in a certain sport, follow some of the athletes on social media, learn about their stories, learn about the sport.
“I think the more context clues you can have about the sport makes it more fun for you to watch. Do some research ahead of time, but also just watch and ask questions.”
Beyond Milano Cortina 2026
Aravich has also had a busy schedule away from the slopes and the gym.
In 2024, she helped Utah's bid committee for the Paralympic and Olympic Winter Games in 2034. She also went to Paris 2024 to work as a member of the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee's digital media department.
By participating in the delivery of the Games from a different perspective, she gained new personal insights into the Paralympics.
“It definitely takes a village. You aren't just showing up and competing on your own. You have a whole nation, a whole team behind you.
“It made me just appreciate all the people who make the Games happen behind the scenes outside of the field of play.”
She already believes the Utah 2034 Paralympic Winter Games will be historic milestones for winter Para sport in the United States. And she has also started planning her days after Milano Cortina 2026, including signing up for a road marathon, and says competing at the LA28 Paralympic Games is also a possibility.
But for now, Aravich remains present, savouring her icy moments in the snow. She ensures to value her opportunities to practise her sports at the highest level.
“It's such a pleasure that so many places and in this world don't get to experience the beauty of snow and the beauty of winter. Every day that I get to experience that, I need to remind myself how truly lucky I am.”
Secure your tickets for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games
Milano Cortina 2026, which takes place from 6-15 March 2026, is set to be the most beautiful Paralympic Winter Games yet. Ticket prices start at EUR 10 for children under 14, with approximately 89 per cent of the tickets available for EUR 35 or less.
For more information, please visit tickets.milanocortina2026.org
