In his home gym in Calgary, Kurt Oatway is engaged in weightlifting and pull-ups as part of his final training regimen leading up to the 2026 Paralympic Games in Italy. At 41 years old, the accomplished sit-skier demonstrates unwavering determination to reclaim his position at the pinnacle of the global stage after a harrowing accident in 2022 that left him gravely injured, forcing him to miss the Beijing Games.
Reflecting on the incident in Lillehammer, Norway at the world championships, where he suffered broken bones, torn ligaments, and a punctured lung just weeks before the Paralympics, Oatway recalls the moment he realized he would not be able to compete in China. Despite the setback, he made a firm decision while in the hospital that this setback would not be the end of his career.
The crash served as the latest hurdle in Oatway’s illustrious career, characterized by resilience and tenacity. Growing up in Edmonton in a family of skiers, he initially learned the sport at the age of five as an able-bodied athlete. However, a rock climbing accident in 2007 during his studies at the University of Saskatchewan resulted in a permanent spinal cord injury.
Determined to ski again after witnessing the Paralympics on TV, Oatway embraced the adaptive program at Mission Ridge, a small community hill in Saskatchewan. His rapid progression in sit-skiing, from being tethered to a coach to confidently navigating the slopes at his own pace, impressed his mentor Gord Poulton, who recognized Oatway’s potential early on.
The local ski community rallied behind Oatway, providing additional coaching support and assistance in procuring his first racing sit-ski. Family support, both emotionally and financially, played a crucial role in his journey from a local hill in Saskatchewan to the global stage, competing in races across North America, Europe, and Asia.
Oatway’s crowning achievement came in 2018 at the Paralympic Games in PyeongChang, where he clinched an unexpected gold medal in the sitting super giant slalom event after a disappointing performance in downhill skiing. Looking ahead to the upcoming Paralympics in Milan and Cortina, likely his final appearance, Oatway remains grateful for his roots in Saskatchewan and is determined to secure a place on the podium once again.