Meenagh Aims for Winter Paralympic Medal in Milan-Cortina 2026

Scott Meenagh found purpose in sport and now pursues a Winter Paralympic medal at Milan-Cortina 2026. The 36-year-old Briton aims for a podium on the global stage in what will be his third and final Games.

In 2011, while serving with the Parachute Regiment in Afghanistan, Meenagh suffered life-changing injuries after stepping on a roadside explosive in Helmand Province. He lost both legs and, during the aftermath, he also endured the loss of a close friend. His rehabilitation set him on a surprising path from rugby to rowing, before he discovered biathlon, a demanding combination of cross-country skiing and shooting.

Next year’s Winter Games in Milan-Cortina will mark the 50th anniversary of the first Winter Paralympics, taking place from 6 to 15 March. Meenagh speaks openly about why sport matters to him and how it shapes his daily drive to improve.

"I needed a purpose and a way to reclaim life after my injury," he said. "Sport gives you the chance to become a better version of yourself every day, and that push keeps me going."

Meenagh has faced difficult moments and trauma, including the loss of a close friend. That adversity fuels his appetite for life and his determination to make the most of every day, especially when competing on the world stage.

His athletic journey began at the 2014 Invictus Games in London, where he rowed for Great Britain. That experience proved pivotal, proving to him that competing at an international level was within reach and igniting a lifelong commitment to sport.

From Invictus to the Paralympics: a bold shift

When he first considered biathlon, Meenagh met doubt from some observers. He recalls an early reaction that felt like skepticism rather than support. He compared it to a legendary British ski jumper who faced similar doubts decades earlier, but the story of Eddie the Eagle inspired him to pursue the dream anyway. Meenagh gradually built a team around him and proved the doubters wrong by demonstrating the sport’s viability for him and others.

Previously a member of the GB rowing squad until 2016, he visited the 2014 Paralympic Games in Russia as part of an inspiration program. The experience opened his eyes to what a cross-country biathlon program could offer: the endurance, precision, and decision-making required to excel in extreme conditions—an appealing combination for any athlete seeking a new challenge.

Road to a high-performance program

Meenagh’s pursuit quickly attracted global support. He describes reaching out to countries like Canada and the United States for equipment and coaching guidance, turning a small coffee-shop idea into a scalable program. He attended the 2018 Games in South Korea as one of Britain’s first sit-ski athletes in many years, which helped unlock national funding and a formal high-performance setup. By the 2022 Beijing Games, he had progressed to sixth place, with a clear goal of a medal in his final Paralympic appearance.

On track for a medal in Milan-Cortina

Today, Meenagh remains unapologetically ambitious. He has earned the right to expect strong results after podium finishes at World Championships, including a silver and a bronze. He believes the combination of the sport’s physical demands and his growing technical and tactical mastery positions him well for Milan-Cortina 2026.

Expert insight

Expert: Sports psychologist Dr. Jamie Collins notes that Meenagh’s perseverance and structured progression are key to his medal prospects. "When an athlete couples resilience with a clear pathway to high performance, podium finishes become a realistic outcome," Collins says.

Summary

Scott Meenagh’s story demonstrates how hardship can fuel elite sport. From a life-changing injury in Afghanistan to competing at the Paralympics, his journey emphasizes perseverance, robust support, and a relentless drive for improvement. Milan-Cortina 2026 serves as the latest milestone in a career built on ambition and resilience.

Key insight: Determination, backed by a strong support network, can turn adversity into podium-ready performance in winter sports. Source

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