With six months to go to the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games (6-15 March 2026) we chat to NZ Paralympic Team (NZPT) Chef de Mission Jane Stevens to gauge her thoughts.
We are now six months out from the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games. How do you feel the Team is tracking?
JS: It is going well. I’m excited to see a positive attitude within the Team. The Para athletes are in a good mood, working hard towards achieving their goals. We are currently recruiting our Team staff for Milano Cortina, and it is critical we get the right people in place to ensure the Para athletes can deliver their best.
As Chef de Mission what have been some of the main challenges in the role?
JS: I’m not finding too many challenges because I am working with good people. Knowing I can touch base with people at Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) and now we are starting to put our senior management team in place is awesome. It is nice to see that the NZPT is starting to grow. It feels like we are becoming more of a Team. If there has been one frustration, it is that I have learned to be patient with the organisers because we do not always receive the answers we require in a hurry!
What is in your immediate in tray?
JS: We have the Sport Forum (on 16 September 2025) which is a good opportunity to bring the NZPT closer together. The Forum will give us a much clearer understanding of everyone’s roles. Also, as we will only be taking a small Team to Milano Cortina 2026 the Team will be called on to fulfil a lot of obligations. My task is to manage their time and strike a balance between adding extra value without overloading the Para athletes.
How will you manage to integrate the cultural element to the benefit of the Team?
JS: The cultural piece will be interesting and there is a big piece of work to be done in how we maximise the cultural elements with the small Team we have. We are still in our infancy on this journey, but it is something which will evolve. It is not something, however, we want to rush. We want to add value and for our unique culture to be a point of difference for the Team.
You carried out the role as Chef de Mission at Beijing 2022. What lessons did you learn which you can apply for Milano Cortina 2026?
JS: Beijing 2022 was a unique COVID-19 Games with no spectators attending. However, what I learned from Beijing was an understanding that the NZPT worked well as a Team. We were very specific about roles and responsibilities and trusted people to deliver. If I’ve learned anything, it is not to worry and that we will have excellent people as part of the NZPT who are experts in their field, and this will enable the Para athletes to perform to their best.
Has your leadership approach changed from Beijing 2022 to Milano Cortina 2026?
JS: I haven’t changed my approach too much. Having experienced Beijing 2022 it has helped me become more organised in my thoughts and a bit more structured. But I know my strengths and weaknesses and I’m not afraid to ask for help when I need to!
Besides winning medals, what would a successful Games look like?
JS: We have already selected two seasoned Para athletes in Paralympian #158 Adam Hall MNZM, who will attending his sixth Paralympic Winter Games, and Paralympian #188 Corey Peters MNZM, who is set to compete at his fourth Paralympic Winter Games. Both are vastly experienced and looking for medals in Milano Cortina. But for me, if both Para athletes have conducted themselves with pride, even if they don’t win medals, and all the staff leave Milano Cortina happy, then that would be a great outcome.
What are you most looking forward to?
JS: I’m really looking forward to the Team coming together and seeing what the Para athletes can achieve on the day. I love being part of a well-functioning Team environment.
Why should people tune into Milano Cortina 2026?
JS: I defy anyone to watch Corey’s downhill and not be amazed by the thrilling high-speed action. Similarly watching Adam ski the slalom with so much speed and precision makes for compelling viewing. But a Paralympic Winter Games has so much more than Para alpine skiing. There are so many exciting Para sports such as Para snowboarding, Para cross country skiing and team sports such as Wheelchair curling and Para ice hockey. There is something for everyone.
