Butterfield eyes summer & winter Paralympic gold

Jo Butterfield will attempt to become the first British athlete to win gold at both the summer and winter Paralympics after being confirmed as part of the wheelchair curling team for March's 2026 Games.

The 46-year-old won club throw gold at Rio 2016 before switching from Para-athletics to curling in 2023.

She won world bronze in the mixed team event in Canada that year and, following a short spell away from the ice for cancer treatment, she will compete in the new mixed doubles event next year with fellow English athlete Jason Kean.

"Since I first became a Paralympian, I've carried the dream of pushing boundaries and seeing what's possible," Butterfield, who was raised in Yorkshire but now represents Scotland, said.

"To now have the opportunity to go for gold at both a summer and winter Paralympics is something I'm incredibly proud of.

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"It's a goal I set myself when I first transferred to wheelchair curling in 2023 and it's a challenge I'm fully committed to embracing."

Butterfield and Kean are among four England-born athletes in the seven-strong team and will be the first British representatives from outside Scotland to take to the ice at a Paralympics.

Karen Aspey and Stewart Pimblett - who join Scots Hugh Nibloe, Austin McKenzie, and Graeme Stewart in the team event - represented England at the World Wheelchair Curling Championships this year along with Kean.

Nibloe is the only member of the squad to have competed at a winter Paralympics before, with Milano Cortina being his third Games.

The 43-year-old from Stranraer has won world silver and bronze before and is determined to secure a first Paralympic podium.

"To be selected is a huge honour and a career highlight, but I am hoping this will be third-time lucky for me as I want to return as a medallist this time," he said.