Kane Appointed Deputy Chef de Mission For Winter Paralympics

Courtesy Paralympics Australia

Three-time Winter Paralympian Toby Kane has been appointed as Australian Deputy Chef de Mission for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.

Kane’s return to national duties, this time in a leadership role under Chef de Mission Ben Troy, follows his decorated career as a Para-alpine skier which included a Paralympic bronze medal at both Torino 2006 and Sochi 2014, two World Championship medals and 16 World Cup podiums. He also carried the Australian flag into the Opening Ceremony of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympics.

Alongside his achievements on snow, Kane built a reputation as a leader and a voice for athletes, qualities that Troy said made him the ideal choice for Deputy Chef de Mission.

“Toby has done it all on the Paralympic stage, he’s won medals, carried the flag, represented Australia with distinction across three Games,” Troy said. 

“But equally important is his perspective and his ability to connect with athletes and staff and positively influence our team’s culture.

“We wanted someone who has lived the Winter Paralympic experience, who understands what it takes, and who can also be a trusted sounding board for all of our team members. Toby’s passion for the history of Australian Paralympic Winter sport and his willingness to roll up his sleeves are some of the main attributes I believe will help him succeed in this role.”

For Kane, returning in a leadership and administrative role is an opportunity to give back in the same way he was once supported.

“The Paralympic Games, that’s the pinnacle, right? Once every four years, the chance to compete in front of not only your friends and your family, but with Australia and the world watching, is exactly what athletes prepare for over four years,” Kane said.

“On reflection, you don’t want to take those things for granted. You only get a couple of tries at it, if that. I feel very fortunate to have been to three Paralympics, but also now to be able to see the other side and help a group of amazing athletes coming through.”

Kane said the Paralympic Games environment is unlike any other, making the role of team leaders and support staff crucial.

“Obviously there is so much more that surrounds the Paralympics. Each day seems more filled and longer than any other competition,” he said.

“When I was competing, we were always trying to simplify things as a team during the Games to make it like any other race. Being able to provide an athlete voice, ways of communicating, and an understanding of what they’re going through to everyone else will hopefully be a real key part of the role.

“When Ben approached me about the role, he just said that he wanted a Paralympian with Winter Games experience, someone who has a connection to the past and someone who wants to help out and gets stuck in. That’s definitely what I’m there for.

“I really just want to stress that I’m there to help in any way possible. The best teams I’ve ever been a part of had people who would do anything for the team, right? Whether that’s supporting other athletes, whether that’s carrying skis from the car park up to the hill, you just need many people to make a team function. I’m excited to find my role in this team as a three-time Paralympian.”

The Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games will take place from 6-15 March 2026.