Canadian Wheelchair Curling Team highlights strategies that led to gold medal win

London Ont., native Mark Ideson skipped the Canadian Wheelchair Curling Team at the Milano-Cortino 2026 Winter Paralympics. (Lauren Stallone/CTV News London)

London Ont., native Mark Ideson has felt an immense amount of pride since returning home from the Milano-Cortino 2026 Winter Paralympics.

“When I think about the journey I just think about all the people that have been involved that have helped me along the way,” said Ideson.

He skipped the Canadian Wheelchair Curling Team to gold in March.

“It really takes a village,” said Ideson, “To get an athlete to the world stage.”

Parkwood Institute hosted a panel Monday afternoon on the rehabilitation, medical and performance strategies that supported the team’s victory.

“I find one of my roles in travel is to be a cheerleader,” said Sari Shatil, the team’s Physiotherapist. “To be that positive influence of always being happy regardless of the result.”

Dr. Steven Macaluso, the lead physician on the team said preparation for the Paralympics is crucial.

“We start the year by getting to know the athletes,” said Macaluso. “Them as people as well as athletes and their needs, getting all their medical information, doing a physical exam.”

In 2007, Ideson was involved in a helicopter crash resulting in a spinal cord injury.

He spent the next six months recovering at Parkwood Institute.

“While here at Parkwood Hospital I was introduced to sport again,” said Ideson.

Shatil recalled the moment Ideson shared his dream with her.

“When Mark went and tried wheelchair curling for the first time he came back to physio and told me how excited he was about it,” said Shatil. “He told the group there that his intention was to become a team Canada Paralympian within that sport.”

Following endless hours of preparation and training, the team said they have grown quite close.

“The gold medal is the icing on the cake,” said Shatil.

The group shared some unique pre-match rituals.

“Mark and I had our own little rituals as far as getting him ready for media appearances and clicking on his microphone,” said Macaluso. “He made sure that I was the one to do it before every game he played.”

Ideson said it was a ‘fun moment’ the two shared.

“He’d put my lapel on before every game,” said Ideson. “We didn’t miss a game, and I think that helped lead to the gold.”

While the gold may hang around Ideson’s neck, he said it represents every hand that helped get him there.