Italian wheelchair curler Egidio Marchese hopes for a double Paralympic fairytale

For Italian wheelchair curling skip Egidio Marchese, the magic of his Paralympic debut at the Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games still lives on.

“I lived a fairytale with my eyes open,” he said

 “Finding myself almost by chance as part of the Italian national team with a dear friend, Andrea Tabanelli (who is no longer with us) ... is a source of great pride.”

Wheelchair curling entered the Paralympic sport programme at Torino 2006, and 20 years later, spectators will be in awe watching how the sport has evolved at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympics, Marchese said.

“At Torino 2006, it was still the beginning for many of us,” he said.

“Nowadays, the technique has improved greatly, and the game strategy has also undergone changes to a higher level.” 

Twenty years after Italy last hosted the Paralympic Winter Games, the world’s best Para athletes will return to the country in March 2026. Opening in just 100 days, the Milano Cortina 2026 will feature six sports: Para alpine skiing, Para biathlon, Para cross-country skiing, Para ice hockey, Para snowboard and wheelchair curling.

Twenty years of evolution

Marchese, who was severely injured in a car accident in 1997, said the opportunity to go for glory on home soil had helped him find healing and resilience.

“It gave me motivation after my trauma,” he said.

Among his best memories from the Torino Games were seeing his family in the crowd, the Closing Ceremony and fun banter with the Games' volunteers.

“My wife and my two young children cheering me on, (I thought) it will never happen again,” he said.

“(For the Closing Ceremony) we set off from Piazza Vittorio Veneto to Piazza Castello, and there was a river of people cheering us on.

“Then there's the relationship with the volunteers, who we are still in touch with even now, 20 years later.”

Memories from Torino 2006

Marchese, 57, fondly remembers the electric atmosphere at the curling arena. Torino 2006 saw eight teams competing in wheelchair curling’s inaugural Paralympic tournament. The final between Canada and Great Britain was played out in front of a sold-out crowd. 

Canada won the inaugural gold medal, with Great Britain taking silver and Sweden taking bronze. 

“It was a beautiful, unique life experience. Friends, relatives, and acquaintances who came to see us compete and cheer us on at the stadium. There was an ocean of emotions,” he said.

“The crowd was fantastic. Even though curling was a new sport for us, they gave us
tremendous moral support, especially the schoolchildren.”

Returning to the Paralympics 

Italy’s wheelchair curling team is set to return to the Paralympics for the first time since Vancouver 2010, where they finished fifth - their best Paralympic result to date.

At Milano Cortina 2026, the sport will feature two medal events – the mixed team competition which debuted at Torino 2006 and the mixed doubles competition which will be included in the Games programme for the first time.

Wheelchair curling competition will take place at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, and will begin on 4 March, two days ahead of the Opening Ceremony at the Arena di Verona.

The team has been training twice weekly and loves travelling together to participate in international tournaments. Marchese hopes the team can put on a show in front of a home crowd.

“We are in the process of technical and mental preparation,” he said.

Marchese – who was awarded an Officer of the Order of Merit of the Republic in 2020 for his commitment to Para sport and social inclusion – expects tough competition from the Chinese, Canadian, Norwegian, and Swedish teams.

“Winning a medal would certainly be a dream for everyone, but the important thing is to play high-level curling to inspire as many people with disabilities as possible,” he said.

He was thrilled that the Torino Games inspired scores of Italians to take up wheelchair curling, and he hopes it will happen again. He hopes that there will be more curling facilities will be built across the country so the next generation can find the same joy from the sport.

Ready for the big party?

Marchese said Italy is ready to put on a big party and welcome the world next March.

“They will do everything they can to ensure everyone gets the most out of the Paralympic experience,” he said.

He hopes that he will put on the Italian Paralympic team uniform once more at a home Games. 

“It certainly weighs heavily having the abbreviation for ‘Italia’ written on your back and representing your country at such an important event,” Marchese said.

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