The roots of the Paralympic movement trace back to the hospital wards of WWII, where sport became a powerful tool in the recovery and rehabilitation of injured service personnel. Dr Ludwig Guttmann’s 1948 Stoke Mandeville Games, involving wounded British veterans, laid the foundation for what would become the Paralympic Games, a global celebration of ability, resilience and determination to push the boundaries of what is possible.

Over time, the Paralympic movement expanded beyond its military origins to include athletes with various disabilities. The first official Paralympic Games in Rome in 1960 marked this shift, featuring 400 athletes from 23 countries, including civilians with spinal cord injuries. Subsequent Games broadened eligibility to encompass athletes with visual impairments, amputations, cerebral palsy, and intellectual disabilities, reflecting a commitment to inclusivity and the recognition of diverse abilities.

The Legacy of Supporting Veterans Through Sport Lives On

Today, the legacy of supporting wounded, injured, or ill veterans beyond service lives on through the Invictus Games, where we see the power of sport to heal, not just for those competing, but for their families too. Families are a core part of the Invictus Games because they play a vital role in a competitor’s recovery, provide essential support, and share in the journey of healing and reconnection and are therefore brought in as a part of the Games experience. The Invictus Games are open to people of all sporting abilities, with the main purpose of the Games, to utilise sport for the recovery and rehabilitation of those in the wounded, injured or ill community (WII).  

For many the Games are a turning point in their recovery journey, some find lifelong friendships, some a renewed sense of purpose and others learn more about adaptive sports that mean they can still stay active, no matter what their injury. Some take their newfound sporting passion in another direction, leading them to set their sights on the world stage in elite sporting opportunities, like Army Veteran Curtis McGrath. Curtis is an Invictus Games Alumni and an Invictus Australia Ambassador and is a multi-Paralympic gold medalist who believes in the power of sport as a powerful tool for rehabilitation and motivation

The Invictus Games Competitors Targeting 2026 Winter Paralympics

The countdown is on to the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo in Italy. Amongst those on their Paralympic Pathway are three past Invictus Games competitors who, beyond the Invictus Games have reignited their passion for sport and are driven to perform in elite competitions on the world stage. Find out more about the Invictus Games Alumni who are carving their path from Invictus to Paralympian. 

Find out more about them below.

Lieutenant Commander Dave Miln

In December 2022, while posted overseas with the Australian Defence Force, a life-changing accident involving a mechanical snow blower left him with devastating injuries. Despite his heroic efforts to protect his young daughters during the incident, he became trapped in the machine for over an hour, resulting in the amputation of both legs and multiple fractures. Over the following year, he underwent 25 surgeries and began a long and difficult rehabilitation journey, supported by his family and the ADF community. 

21 months on Dave and his family are just getting back on track. Through this time sport has remained a driving force in his recovery, helping him regain strength, focus, and connection. He competed at the 2024 U.S. Department of Defense Warrior Games and the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025. Through his connection to the adaptive sports program Dave was introduced to Para-Biathlon and Para-Nordic sports. He continues to push himself, driven by a desire to represent his country again, show what’s possible after trauma, and carve a path for others to follow in elite adaptive winter sport. 
 
Dave now trains with the same dedication and discipline that has defined his military career, this time chasing a new goal, the Paralympic Games. His pursuit of excellence in Cross Country Skiing and Biathlon is driven not just by personal ambition, but by a deep desire to show what’s possible and not to let one incident define you. 
 
You can support Dave on his Paralympic pathway here.

Able Seaman Taryn Dickens

Royal Australian Navy Able Seaman Taryn Dickens was diagnosed with cone-rod dystrophy in 2019 at just 36 years old, resulting in progressive vision loss. Refusing to let her condition define her, Taryn transitioned into an administrative role and became a passionate advocate for inclusion within the Navy. 

Her sporting journey accelerated after competing at the 2022 Australian Defence Force (ADF) Biathlon Championships, igniting a passion for Para Nordic skiing. In 2023, she was awarded the prestigious Matthew Robinson Scholarship, supporting her training for the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Milano-Cortina. If successful, she will make history as Australia’s first vision-impaired female athlete in Para Nordic skiing and Biathlon. 

That same year, Taryn co-captained Team Australia at the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023, competing in cycling, powerlifting, and indoor rowing where she claimed gold in both the four-minute and one-minute rowing events. Taryn is determined to be the person that others can look up to, she wants to be a source of positivity to show that her condition doesn’t impact her drive, resilience or ability to make history as Australia’s first vision-impaired female athlete in Para Nordic skiing and Biathlon at the Winter Paralympics. 

You can support Taryn on her Paralympic pathway here.

Matty Brumby

Matty Brumby, a former Royal Australian Navy sailor, faced sustained a serious spinal cord injury in 2000 that ultimately led to his discharge the following year. While deeply impacted by this event at just 22 years old, Matty was determined not to let his injury define him. Matty began exploring adaptive sports beyond his discharge in 2001 and experienced just how powerful sport is as a tool for physical and mental endurance. He is a Para-Ironman World Champion and a Para-Half Ironman World Champion, a testament to his drive to perform at an elite sporting level.

In 2018 Brumby co-captained Team Australia at the Invictus Games Sydney, another step in his journey, the Games providing a safe place for him to compete on the global stage. Competing in athletics, cycling, and wheelchair rugby, he secured five gold medals across his campaign. The Games provided a platform for Brumby to reconnect with the sporting community, competing in a safe and welcoming environment on the global stage. 

Looking ahead, Brumby has set his sights on the 2026 Winter Paralympics, aiming to compete in biathlon. His ambition is to be part of Australia’s first Paralympic Nordic team, demonstrating his commitment to pushing boundaries and inspiring others his journey. 

You can support Matty on his Paralympic pathway here.

ONE OF MANY PATHWAYS

The elite pathway is just one of many pathways that individuals can take with sport. Invictus Australia often have opportunities to take part in a range of sporting opportunities like the Lifesaving World Championships and the Australian Masters Games.

At Invictus Australia, we encourage veterans and their families to use sport to connect with their local communities, to provide purpose and to get them moving to better their health and wellbeing. Our team of veteran engagement managers are across Australia working alongside our partners and sporting organisations to connect the defence community through sport. If you want to know about the community sporting opportunities in your area, check out our local engagement page.