British para snowboarder James Barnes-Miller is embarking on an extraordinary journey to the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Games, combining the demanding schedule of elite athletic preparation with the sleepless nights of new parenthood. The 36-year-old athlete, who became a father in November 2025, views this unconventional approach as a potential advantage in his quest for a first Paralympic medal.
Fatherhood Fuels Final Paralympic Campaign
Barnes-Miller, who hails from Broadstairs in Kent but now resides in France, will compete in his third and final Paralympics this March, aiming to secure that elusive podium finish in front of his newborn daughter. The para snowboarder competes in the SB-UL class for athletes with upper limb impairments, specializing in both Snowboard Cross and Banked Slalom disciplines.
"It's been pretty mad. My preparation is good but different from the last couple of Games we've been to," Barnes-Miller explained. "We crammed in a training camp just before the due date, so that was good. But since she's been born, it's been hard."
Adapting Training Around New Responsibilities
The athlete has had to completely rethink his training approach since becoming a father. "Before it'd be like I can just train Monday, Tuesday, Thursday. Now it's just, I've got this amount of training to do, and I'll just fit it in whenever I can," he revealed.
Despite the challenges of balancing parental duties with elite sport, Barnes-Miller has found unexpected success in this new phase of life. "It's obviously worked because I've come back to my first two races and I've got a sixth and a silver. I'm stoked with that," he said, referring to his recent World Cup performances.
Overcoming Injury Setbacks
This Paralympic cycle has presented significant physical challenges for Barnes-Miller, who suffered a fractured vertebrae in January 2024 that ruled him out for that entire season and continued to affect his performance throughout 2025.
"Last season, I rode in pain the whole time, but we needed to qualify for the Games," he admitted. "It was a struggle that really, really sucked, but I just had to get my head down and do what we need to do to try and get in."
The athlete underwent intensive rehabilitation during the summer of 2025, spending time at a UK rehab unit to regain full fitness. This dedication has already paid dividends, with Barnes-Miller securing his first Banked Slalom World Cup podium since 2022 upon his return to competition.
Flying Under the Radar
Barnes-Miller believes his recent injury struggles and unconventional preparation might work to his advantage in Italy. "I can just come in under the radar and hopefully do the business this time," he suggested. "I definitely shocked a few people just getting a silver [at the World Cup]."
The para snowboarder made his Paralympic debut in PyeongChang 2018 and returned to Beijing 2022 as one of the favourites following an impressive 2021 season that saw him win three medals at the World Championships in Lillehammer. However, he was unable to convert that success to a Paralympic podium that year.
Finding Balance Through Other Sports
When not on the snow, Barnes-Miller finds respite in skateboarding, describing it as an activity that allows him to "shut my brain off and just go for a cruise with the lads and have fun." Although his intense schedule has limited this recreational time recently, he remains passionate about promoting sporting opportunities for disabled people.
The athlete is currently supporting the 'Every Body Moves' campaign, an initiative aimed at connecting disabled individuals with more opportunities to get active and encouraging participation across multiple sports. "Being given the opportunity to do that is a must, especially for people with disabilities that might not get those opportunities," he emphasized.
Looking Forward to Final Games
As he approaches his final Paralympic appearance, Barnes-Miller is focused on enjoying the experience with his family. "I just want to get there, and I want to enjoy every moment of it and have fun," he said. "Having my wife and kid and my folks and friends and family all there, it's going to be rad."
Reflecting on his decade-long Paralympic career, Barnes-Miller added: "For me, these games are my last one. That's three games, it's ten years of competing. Trying to get on the podium would be the icing on the cake."
With the hardest work behind him and his family by his side, James Barnes-Miller approaches the Milano Cortina Paralympics with renewed perspective, determined to make his final Games memorable while balancing the dual roles of elite athlete and new father.
