ParalympicsGB announce flagbearers for Milano Cortina 2026 Closing Ceremony

ParalympicsGB is delighted to announce Paralympians Neil Simpson, his guide Rob Poth and Jo Butterfield as the flagbearers for the British team at the Closing Ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games on Sunday 15th March.

Visually impaired Para Alpine skier Simpson claimed a silver medal alongside his guide Rob Poth in the Super Combined at Milano Cortina 2026, becoming the most successful male winter Paralympian for the British team. The 23-year-old now has three Paralympic medals, having won gold and bronze four years ago in Beijing.

Butterfield made her Winter Games debut for ParalympicsGB at Milano Cortina, having previously claimed gold at Rio 2016 in the club throw. Partnering Games debutant Jason Kean in the wheelchair curling mixed doubles, the pair narrowly missed out on a place in the semi-finals after losing out to Italy in the final end of their final group match.

ParalympicsGB Chef de Mission, Phil Smith said: “I am thrilled to announce Neil, Rob and Jo as our flagbearers for Milano Cortina 2026. Neil and Rob’s silver medal at these Games underlined their credentials as one of the world’s finest visually impaired skiing partnerships, while Jo’s impressive transition from a gold medallist in Para athletics to wheelchair curling showed just how talented a Para athlete she is. Her determination to grow and develop in the sport while sharing her knowledge and experience from previous Paralympic Games has been a real asset to the team.”