Britain's Menna Fitzpatrick Returns After Knee Injury

Britain's most decorated Winter Paralympian is proving that determination can overcome even the toughest setbacks. Menna Fitzpatrick will compete at the upcoming Winter Paralympics despite suffering a significant knee injury just three months ago.

The 27-year-old para-alpine skier, who has won six Paralympic medals including slalom gold in 2018, injured her knee during training in December. She made the bold choice to skip surgery and focus on intensive recovery instead, betting everything on making the Milan-Cortina Games.

Her gamble paid off. Fitzpatrick and her guide Katie Guest are now among the athletes named to Great Britain's team for the Games, which begin March 6.

The British team includes another groundbreaking athlete making history at these Games. Snowboarder Davy Zyw is believed to be the first snowsport athlete with motor neurone disease (MND) to compete at the Paralympics.

"I'm stoked beyond measure. Every time I strap into my snowboard I count my stars," Zyw said. "The journey to get to the Games has been immense, but nothing is impossible."

Nina Sparks will also make history as the first female snowboarder to represent Britain at a Paralympics. She joins fellow para-snowboarder Matt Hamilton on the team alongside several para-alpine skiers including Fred Warburton, Sam Cozens, Hester Poole, and Dominic Allen with their guides.

Why This Inspires

These athletes show what's possible when people refuse to let circumstances define their limits. Fitzpatrick could have taken the safer route of surgery and recovery, sitting out these Games to compete another day. Instead, she chose the harder path, committing to grueling rehabilitation to make her dream happen now.

Zyw's journey is equally powerful. Living with a progressive condition like MND brings uncertainty, making every competition precious. His presence on the slopes sends a message that belonging in elite sport isn't limited by diagnosis.

The Milan-Cortina Games mark the 50th anniversary of the first Winter Paralympics, celebrating five decades of athletes proving that different abilities open new possibilities rather than close doors. Britain won six medals at the 2022 Beijing Games and will be hoping their expanded team can add to that total when competition begins next month.