My road to Milano Cortina 2026: Polina Rozkova's fur-midable journey

Latvian wheelchair curler Polina Rozkova has a secret weapon in her preparations for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games – a rescue cat who likes to dress up as a bumblebee. 

The elderly ginger feline helps Rozkova deal with the stress and challenges of competing on the international stage.

“I went to the shelter, and I thought, ‘OK, I want to help the cat who is in the worst shape,’ just because every creature deserves a second chance to be loved, to live a normal life,” the two-time Paralympian told the IPC on a video call, as Archibald the cat made a cameo on screen, wearing a cushioned bread collar. 

“I thought that I'm helping him, or I rescued him. But now I realise that he's rescuing me and he's helping me.” 

En garde

After injuring her spine in a snowboarding accident in 2009, Rozkova started using a wheelchair and discovered the sport of curling as part of her rehabilitation process. 

The sport became a way for her to build resilience and socialise with other wheelchair users. 

“I hoped to find support from people who are in the same situation as me,” she said. 

Rozkova and the Latvian wheelchair curling team made their Paralympic Winter Games debut at Beijing 2022, finishing outside the medals.

She was the only female skip competing in the 11-team tournament in the Chinese capital.

Her highlight was the “unbelievable and beautiful” Opening Ceremony.

She is disappointed she will miss out on next year’s Italian offering because it will be held around seven hours away from the Paralympic wheelchair curling venue and clashes with her competition schedule.

“I wanted to be a part of this Opening Ceremony, to enjoy it, but unfortunately, it's not possible,” she said.

Instead, she will see it on television while savouring her memories of previous Paralympic experiences.

Rozkova was the first Latvian athlete to compete at both Summer and Winter Paralympics.

In 2016, she represented her country in wheelchair fencing at the Rio 2016 Paralympics.

She was forced to retire early from that sport because it was causing her back problems and breathing difficulties.

“I really miss it so much,” she said.  “It's still in my heart.”

Cat on the ice

As training ramped up ahead of the upcoming Paralympics and the debut of wheelchair mixed doubles, curious cat Archibald, rugged up in a sweater, joined Rozkova and her teammate Agris Lasmans at their local ice rink.

The cat sat on her lap and was mesmerised by the stones gliding across the ice.

It makes the long hours of stone-throwing practice more enjoyable, she said.

“I think I am never smiling when I am playing (because I’m concentrating so much),” she joked.

She added that Lasmans was a much more relaxed player and rarely gets stressed.

Rozkova and Lasmans won the mixed doubles tournament at the 2023 World Wheelchair Curling Championship in March 2023 in Canada.

It was an epic journey to victory, with travel nightmares, missing luggage and her original playing partner, Aleksandrs Dimbovskis, having to withdraw injured after fracturing his legs from a fall just days before the tournament. 

Rozkova and Lasmans made it to the final against the USA.

“(I thought) We will be first or second. Let's enjoy the game. Doesn't matter the result. Just let's enjoy the game,” she said. 

The duo hopes to channel that success and try their best when the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympics open on 6 March. Wheelchair curling is one of the six sports on the Paralympic programme, along with Para alpine skiing, Para biathlon, Para cross-country skiing, Para ice hockey and Para snowboard.

With three months to go until the Games, Rozkova said preparations for the Games have been challenging. They have been busy trying to fundraise for additional resources.

Work, rest and play

Rozkova says Archibald the cat has brought immense joy to her life as she grapples with ongoing back pain issues.

During the European summer, Rozkova took her sun-loving cat for adventures, paddleboarding at the beach and cruising in a front-wheel chair on the sand.

“He really enjoys driving. He’s sitting like the boss with his elbows to the side,” she said. “When we drive, he is the captain.” 

The pair also enjoy getting their glam on.

Last year, they had a waterfront photo shoot posing with a horse – the cat donning a bow tie, and Rozkova sporting a magnificent purple tulle gown. 

“He's my sweet croissant,” she 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