From the Invictus Games to the Winter Paralympic Slopes: Hwankyung Lee’s Journey to Milano Cortina 2026

Hwankyung Lee will compete for the Republic of Korea in Para alpine skiing at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics in the men’s giant slalom sitting and men’s slalom sitting events. For Lee, however, sport represents far more than competition, it has been a powerful tool in rebuilding confidence and reclaiming his life after losing a leg while serving as a Corporal in the Army.

For Hwankyung, sport has been central to his recovery journey. “After the accident that caused my disability, the first thing I thought about after leaving the hospital was where I could go to exercise,” he said.

“At first, I wondered how much sport could really help. But the saying ‘a healthy mind in a healthy body’ is truly correct. When your body is healthy, it gives you confidence in daily life and when interacting with others. Looking back, if I had not started exercising, I might not be able to stand here today with the same level of confidence,” he remarked.

Competing at the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 was a meaningful milestone for Hwankyung, as he previously competed at an elite Paralympic level in sport, competing at the Winter Paralympics in 2002, 2006, and 2010 and he credits the Invictus Games with helping him return to elite competition after 16 years away and reaffirming his love for sport.

“During the competition at Vancouver Whistler 2025, I saw athletes sincerely congratulating each other regardless of the results, and that gave me a lot of inspiration and courage. It made me realize that the world of sports for people with disabilities is filled with warmth and mutual support. I no longer felt alone, but instead felt that I had many teammates and companions on this journey."

"Meeting athletes with similar abilities also motivated me to keep training, enjoy sport more, and stay actively involved. Experiences like this encourage athletes to continue challenging themselves and even hope to meet those teammates again in future competitions. In that sense, the Invictus Games helped prepare me both mentally and emotionally for elite competition,” he said.

Hwankyung’s journey back to the Paralympics is a story of resilience and dedication and he is passionate about encouraging the next generation of wounded, injured, or sick service personnel and veterans to get involved and use sport as part of their recovery and rehabilitation.

“I would strongly encourage them to participate. The Invictus Games are not just a hobby or a simple sports activity. When you go there and meet veterans from other countries who have experienced similar injuries or challenges, you feel a special sense of connection and solidarity. It helps you realize that living with a disability is not something you have to face alone or feel unfair about."

"You see that there are many people around the world going through similar experiences. Being able to meet them, laugh together, and share those moments becomes a very meaningful and positive memory in life. That is why I would definitely encourage others to take part in the Invictus Games.”