REGINA — Saskatchewan’s Olympic and Paralympic talent took centre stage at the legislative building Thursday, with athletes, coaches and support staff recognized for their success at the 2026 Winter Games in Italy.
A total of 27 athletes, coaches, officials and support staff with Saskatchewan ties represented the province at the Milano Cortina Games.
A number of those individuals made it to the Legislature Thursday and were recognized in the Assembly, and then they were hosted by the province at a public reception soon afterwards.
"It is a really exciting day at the Legislature today," Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Alana Ross said to reporters. "We have joining us today several members from the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic team – whether they are athletes, officials, judges. All of the people joining us today have roots in Saskatchewan so Saskatchewan was extremely well represented at the Olympics and Paralympics in Milano."
Among those at the Legislature being honoured was Gilbert Dash, a Paralympic gold medal winner in mixed wheelchair curling.
"I know many of us were glued to the TV watching that game," said Ross. "It was a right down to the last second game, it was kind of the epitome of what Olympic sports is."
Dash was still basking in the glow of that victory in speaking to reporters at the reception at Legislature.
"It's a great feeling that people are proud of what we achieved as a team," said Dash, who described the experience as "intense the entire week — like it's a go-go-go thing, especially in the curling competition."
Dash said they were playing in a "most beautiful venue" with so many fans in it all week long." He said the final game was played in front of 3,000 fans, "99 per cent cheering for Canada — that's a special feeling, having family there."
He made a point of taking in the whole experience. "I took some photos from the bench of the crowd actually even though it was against the rules," said Dash.
"I wanted to take it all in and remember these good things. I was actually told prior, 'take it in, take it in," from people with experience."
He said he was "somewhat aware" of so many people back home cheering him and his team on, but said he tried to stay away from social media — "there's no time," he said, pointing to the hectic schedule.
"It's one thing to win a medal but to have that support, to see watch parties back home, in hotel rooms and people on trips and they're spending time watching the game, and they're cheering and jumping around – that was a very nice feeling."
Saskatchewan’s Olympic contingent included four support staff, four coaches, six officials and seven athletes. The province’s Paralympic contingent featured three athletes, two coaches and one support staff member.
Together, Saskatchewan representatives earned six medals.
Olympic medal winners included Ben Hebert, who captured gold in men’s curling, while Emily Clark earned silver in women’s hockey. Darcy Kuemper and Brandon Hagel also brought home silver in men’s hockey.
Paralympic athletes also delivered strong performances. In addition to Dash's gold medal, Brittany Hudak secured bronze in women’s Para cross-country 10-kilometre interval start classic standing, while Kurt Oatway earned bronze in men’s Para alpine downhill sitting.
"On behalf of Sask Sport's Board of Directors and the amateur sport community, I extend our congratulations to the athletes, coaches, mission and support staff who competed in the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Games," Sask Sport board chair Amy Prokop said in a statement. "Your dedication and your achievements, both on and off the field of play, have made us Sask Proud."
The government said in a statement that over the past 50 years, more than 200 Olympic and Paralympic athletes with ties to Saskatchewan — including those who attended the 2026 Winter Games — have received funding from Sask Lotteries to support their development. They pointed lottery sales in Saskatchewan have contributed more than $1.4 billion to support more than 12,000 sport, culture and recreation groups across the province since 1974.
"We are the envy of the country," said Ross of the province's support for athletes. "I've met with our counterparts nationally and we truly are."
With files from Anastasiia Bykhovskaia.
