For athletes, these Games represent a breath of fresh air after the 2022 Beijing Paralympics were marred by the pandemic. The prior two Games, Pyeongchang 2018 and Sochi 2014, took place halfway across the world for Canadians and with additional complications of their own.

ParalympicsGB expect to take a smaller team to Milan Cortina 2026 but believe they can challenge for medals in every sport in which they compete. That is the view of chef de mission Phil Smith, who will head up the delegation for the second Winter Games running, having enjoyed a baptism of fire in Beijing in 2022.