ParalympicsGB - What we've been up top in December

First athletes selected to ParalympicsGB for Milano Cortina 2026

The first round of ParalympicsGB athletes selected for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games were announced, including the full wheelchair curling squad and the first wave of snowsport athletes.

Congratulations to Scott Meenagh (Para Nordic), Ollie Hill (Para Snowboard), James Barnes-Miller (Para Snowboard), Neil Simpson (Para Alpine), Andrew Simpson (Para Alpine, guide) and Rob Poth (Para Alpine, guide); Jo Butterfield and Jason Kean (Wheelchair curling mixed doubles) and Hugh Nibloe, Karen Aspey, Graeme Stewart, Austin McKenzie and Stewart Pimblett (Wheelchair curling mixed team).

Milano Cortina 2026 preparations continue

With the winter season now well underway, Para Nordic’s Scott Meenagh travelled to Canmore in Canada for the Cross Country and Biathlon World Cup events, just missing out on the podium with a superb fifth place in the biathlon sprint despite a crash that snapped his ski. The 36-year-old was also eighth in the sprint pursuit and 11th in the 12.5km individual competition. 

Six-time Paralympic medallist Menna Fitzpatrick unfortunately sustained a knee injury in training for Para Alpine’s Steinach World Cup which ruled her out of the full programme of pre-Christmas races. Menna is undergoing rehab with a phased return to snow planned to enable her to qualify and compete at the Games in March alongside guide Katie Guest. Fred Warburton and his guide James Hannan meanwhile continued their bid for selection, notching up two seventh and two eighth places in Austria, before adding another seventh place at the St Moritz Para Alpine World Cup a few days later.

Benjamin Pritchard wins BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year

Paralympic, World and European champion Benjamin Pritchard has been named the BBC Cymru Wales Sports Personality of the Year for 2025. 

The 33-year-old from Mumbles in south Wales, who competes in the PR1 men’s single sculls, followed up his Paris 2024 gold medal with the European title in May last year, setting a new world record in the process. World championship gold came next in Shanghai in September, capping off a phenomenal year of sporting success.

Para swimmer Jessica-Jane Applegate retires

Jessica-Jane Applegate has announced her retirement from swimming after a spectacular career spanning more than a decade. Jessica-Jane made her Paralympic debut at London 2012 – just days after turning 16 – and went on to win seven Paralympic medals, including two golds, across three Games – London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo in 2021. 

The 29-year-old, who competed in the S14 class for intellectually impaired athletes, also won numerous World and European Championship medals and set multiple world records along the way.

Baby news!

Massive congratulations to Claire Cashmore and Dave Ellis who welcomed baby Luca into the world in December, and to Hannah Cockroft and Nathan Maguire, who revealed on social media that their baby is on the way in 2026.

King’s New Year Honours

Congratulations to Frankie Allen who has been awarded an MBE in the King’s New Year Honours for services to disability sport and to improving access to sport for young people. She was part of the mixed coxed four that claimed rowing gold at Paris 2024. A key member of GB Rowing staff was also recognised with Director of Performance Louise Kingsley who was Team Leader for Para rowing at four Paralympic Games also receiving an MBE.

Every Body Moves Club of the Year

Congratulations to Mobilates, our Club of the Year 2025. They deliver accessible exercise through a flexible mix of online and in-person sessions, shaped around people’s needs, energy levels, and day-to-day realities.

Inclusive aerials club, Flying Fantastic, received the People’s Choice award.

In memory – Paralympian and England blind footballer Robin Williams 

ParalympicsGB was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Robin Williams, who earned 106 caps and scored 30 goals for England throughout his illustrious sporting career. Robin was part of ParalympicsGB’s visually impaired five-aside football team that finished fourth at London 2012, balancing a PhD in statistics with preparations for the Games. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.