Josh Pauls Named Team USA Paralympic Flag Bearer at 33

Josh Pauls will carry the American flag into Italy's Arena di Verona on March 6, representing not just his country but a family legacy that stretches across generations.

The 33-year-old Green Brook native earned the role of flag bearer for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games through a vote by his fellow Team USA athletes. He'll share the honor with alpine skier Laurie Stephens at the opening ceremony.

Pauls brings an impressive resume to the honor. As a four-time Paralympic champion and seven-time world champion in sled hockey, he's the most decorated player in the sport's Paralympic history. This March marks his fifth Paralympic Winter Games, and he's captained the U.S. team at the past two competitions.

The location makes this moment deeply personal. Pauls will compete in the country where his grandfather was born before immigrating to America. "To be able to carry the U.S. flag in the country he was able to come to and make a life for himself is what America's all about," Pauls said.

His teammates' vote means everything to him. "It is an honor that's really special just because it's done by your peers," he explained. "To represent more than just my teammates and country is something that's really special."

Stephens, his co-flag bearer, brings her own remarkable story to the ceremony. The seven-time Paralympic medalist will compete in her sixth and final Games, closing out a 20-year career that began in Torino, Italy, where she won three medals including two golds.

Why This Inspires

Beyond the medals and records, this story captures what the Paralympic movement represents. Athletes like Pauls and Stephens didn't just excel at their sports—they earned the respect and admiration of their peers through dedication, character, and excellence.

The voting process itself reflects the values at the heart of Team USA. Rather than selecting flag bearers through committee decisions or sponsor arrangements, the athletes themselves chose who would represent them on the world stage.

For Pauls, the honor connects past and present, personal and patriotic. His grandfather's journey to America created opportunities that led to this moment—a Paralympic champion representing the nation his family chose, in the country they left behind.

The opening ceremony airs live on Peacock and USA Network at 1:30 p.m. ET, offering viewers a chance to witness this full-circle moment as two champions lead Team USA into competition.