Meet the Air Canada athlete ambassadors for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympics
Okay, can we take a moment to appreciate the excitement surrounding the soon-to-unfold Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games?
There’s something about the resilience, the comeback stories, and the maple leaf on full display that just fills us with pride, and that exact sentiment took over the Toronto Pearson Airport on February 23rd, as Air Canada hosted yet another spectacular send-off, this time for Team Canada’s Paralympic athletes.
As the official airline for the Canadian Paralympic Team since 2007, Air Canada has helped carry athletes to the world stage for nearly two decades. This year alone, the airlines transported over 750 athletes, family member and delegates to Italy for the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games 2026.
Air Canada
But the airlines’ association with the Paralympic team goes far beyond transportation. Air Canada went on to capture the true spirit of the Games with its powerful new campaign, Tyler’s Walk.
As the name suggests, the two-and-a-half-minute video follows the inspiring journey of Para ice hockey captain, Tyler McGregor. From losing a leg to bone cancer as a teenager to rising as a revered athlete, Tyler’s Walk is a moving depiction of grit, resilience and heart (strongly recommend giving it a watch).
That grit is front and centre with all four Team Air Canada Paralympic Athlete Ambassadors who are continuing the momentum at Milano Cortina 2026. Here’s a closer look at them.
Tyler McGregor
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Sport: Para Ice Hockey
Hometown: Forest, ON
McGregor has got to be the heartbeat of the Canadian para ice hockey team. After transitioning to the sport in 2011 following a spindle cell sarcoma diagnosis, he describes the game as the oxygen he breathes. This year, he’s set on ending Canada’s 20-year gold medal drought in the sport. His strategy: shifting the team’s focus toward a more process-driven identity and away from rivalry narratives.
Ina Forrest
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Sport: Wheelchair Curling
Hometown: Spallumcheen, B.C.
As a two-time gold medalist and two-time bronze medalist, Ina Forrest is, quite simply, a legend on ice. Known for her laser focus and calm-under-pressure delivery, she continues to refine the mental precision that wheelchair curling demands. As a co-captain, she is determined to showcase the sport at its absolute best while also strengthening unity across sports.
Mollie Jepsen
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Sport: Para Alpine Skiing
Hometown: West Vancouver, B.C.
Jepsen can easily be dubbed the personification of resilience. Between her victories at the PyeongChang 2018 Games and her triumphant return from World Cup 2025, she has battled a Crohn’s Disease diagnosis and undergone four major surgeries. Undeterred, she’s determined to step up her performance at the Milano Cortina Paralympic Games 2026. Her mission is to keep pushing for greater inclusion between Para and able-bodied sport.
Alexis Guimond
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Sport: Para Alpine Skiing
Hometown: Gatineau, QC
With a story as inspiring as his, Guimond has long shared his belief that limits are often just someone else’s imagination. The two-time Paralympic bronze medalist joined the team in 2016 and has been redefining possibility ever since. For the upcoming Games, he aims to keep carving Canadian Para alpine history while mentoring and empowering the next generation of athletes.
Milano Cortina, we are ready for you!
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