Garik Melqonyan to Represent Armenia as Its Only Paralympian at Milano-Cortina Games

As athletes around the world prepare for the upcoming Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games, Armenia’s representative in para cross-country skiing is completing final training sessions in one of the coldest regions of the country.
Ahead of the competition, The Armenian Report traveled to the town of Ashotsk in Armenia’s Shirak Province to meet Garik Melqonyan and document his preparations before the Paralympic Games begin. Ashotsk, known for its long winters and extremely low temperatures, provides ideal natural conditions for endurance training in cross-country skiing.
The athlete explained that his connection to the sport developed over many years. Cross-country skiing first became part of his life during childhood, though his journey included a break before he returned to the sport with renewed commitment.
“I have been cross-country skiing for about five years. I started in childhood, then stopped for a while, and later started again. I think sport creates this feeling inside a person. Just like a hobby or a passion, sport also grows inside you. There are no special emotions to describe because it is everything for me — it’s simply a state of being. When I reach that moment, when I reach Milan, then I will probably feel what is really happening, because these will be my first Games,” Melqonyan told The Armenian Report in an interview.
Cross-country skiing is considered one of the most physically demanding winter sports. Athletes must maintain endurance across long distances while navigating difficult terrain and cold weather conditions. Paralympic competitors train year-round to build the strength, technique and stamina required for international competition.
According to Melqonyan, reaching this level in sport requires intense dedication and many sacrifices.
“Behind every small success of an athlete there are huge training efforts and many sacrifices. I think the same situation applies to me. I have also sacrificed many of the activities I love for the sake of sport,” Melqonyan said.
The athlete also shared a message for Armenians in the country and across the diaspora, encouraging them to follow the competitions and support the Paralympic team.
“I greet our diaspora and our compatriots. I encourage them to follow us, to watch, to inspire us, to stand by our side and support us. Even showing their interest motivates us more and gives us the enthusiasm to achieve better results,” he said.
The Winter Paralympic Games are set to begin March 5 in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. Armenia’s only athlete at the Games will compete in two demanding para cross-country skiing events: the men’s 10km interval start classic standing and the men’s 20km interval start free standing.

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