Closing Ceremony at the Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026
Kendall Gretsch and Andrew Kurka were chosen by a vote from fellow U.S. Paralympians through a process led by the Team USA Athletes’ Commission, which serves as the representative group and voice of Team USA athletes. They will share the honor of leading Team USA into the Closing Ceremony for the Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.
Kendall Gretsch
Athlete Profile- Five-time Paralympic gold medalist Kendall Gretsch is one of the most decorated female winter sports athletes of all time. She collected four medals at this Winter Paralympics, most notably winning gold in the women's Para biathlon sprint pursuit sitting.
- "I think the biggest honor is to be nominated by your teammates because we spend so much time together and to be recognized by them, I think is really special,” Gretsch said. “It's a really special group of people. I'm grateful to be a part of this team, and I'm really excited to be in Cortina and be with the rest of the team and walk into the Closing Ceremony together.”
Andrew Kurka
Athlete Profile- Andrew Kurka, a three-time Paralympian and three-time Paralympic medalist, will be serving as a flag bearer for the first time. Kurka won bronze in the men's Para alpine skiing super-G sitting, completing his overall set of Paralympic medals, having won gold and silver at the Paralympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018.
- “It’s an honor to be the Closing Ceremony flag bearer,” said Kurka. “I’ve been involved in four Games and have only been able to go to two closing ceremonies – in PyeongChang where I won my gold and silver, and this year where I won my bronze. It’s been a career filled with ups and downs, but even the small victories count for me. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next for my team.”
U.S. Para Nordic skier Kendall Gretsch and Para alpine skier Andrew Kurka were the flag bearers selected for Team USA at the Closing Ceremony.
The end of the Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 takes place soon on March 15, 2026. The grand finale will pay tribute to all delegations and honor the achievements and connections forged throughout this historic Winter Paralympics.
The Stadio Olimpico del Ghiaccio will host the spectacle for the Paralympians with a range of spectacles and performers to highlight the special night.
The Paralympics Closing Ceremony will be broadcasted live at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC/Peacock.
The Closing Ceremony for Milano Cortina 2026 is scheduled to take place live at 3:30 p.m. ET on March 15, 2026 at the Stadio Olimpico del Ghiaccio in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.
Ralph Lauren designed the Team USA Closing Ceremony outfits for Milano Cortina 2026.