Riga, Latvia – The Latvian capital city of Riga honored wheelchair curling duo Poļina Rožkova and Agris Lasmans on Friday, March 20, 2026, following their historic bronze medal win at the Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympic Games. The pair’s achievement marks Latvia’s first medal in the mixed pairs event and a significant milestone for the nation’s Paralympic program.
The recognition ceremony at Riga City Council underscored the pride felt throughout Latvia for Rožkova and Lasmans’ accomplishment. Riga Mayor Viesturs Kleinbergs lauded the pair’s dedication and skill, stating, “From the bottom of my heart, I congratulate Poļina Rožkova and Agris Lasmans on winning the bronze medal at the Paralympic Games. This is an outstanding achievement that makes not only the sports community, but all of Riga and Latvia proud. This medal is a well-deserved recognition of their skill, perseverance, and ability to achieve high results even in remarkably difficult circumstances.”
Kleinbergs too acknowledged the challenges faced by parasport athletes in Latvia, adding, “At the same time, this success makes us even more aware of the obstacles our parasports athletes face every day. The road to this medal has not been easy, and that is precisely why we all must appreciate this achievement even more. It is also a reminder that we need to think much more seriously about financial support for parasport and about appropriate, accessible sports infrastructure so that athletes have the opportunity to train fully and strive for even higher goals.”
Deputy Mayor Vilnis Ķirsis echoed these sentiments, describing the medal as a “historic achievement” earned in a particularly tense and emotional match. “I congratulate the Latvian wheelchair curling mixed pairs team, Poļina Rožkova and Agris Lasmans, on their historic achievement! The bronze medal was won in a truly emotional and psychologically challenging game, which further confirms the high professional level of our Paralympians,” Ķirsis said. “The medal is a very great achievement for each of them personally, but the unseen side of the medal is the huge motivation that these athletes give to each of us – the ability to overcome difficulties and achieve high results is an example for all of us.”
The Latvian duo secured the bronze medal on March 11, 2026, defeating the United States team of Laura Dwyer and Stephen Emt 11-10 in an extra end. The victory was particularly sweet after a challenging round-robin stage where the team finished with a 4-3 record, securing a spot in the semifinals. They ultimately fell to China 8-3 in the semifinal match, setting up the bronze medal showdown with the Americans. [1]
Rožkova, reflecting on the team’s journey, highlighted the strategic shift that proved crucial to their success. According to reports from LSM.lv, she noted that the team adjusted their approach after the initial three games, treating each subsequent match as a final. [4] “We changed the order and then every game was like a final,” Lasmans explained, emphasizing the team’s determination to reach the medal round. [1]
This bronze medal represents a culmination of years of hard work for both athletes. Rožkova, in a post-game interview with Latvian Television (LTV), expressed her joy, stating, “I am happy about the work done, about the 14 years of work that has finally paid off.” [1] The pair had previously achieved success on the world stage, winning gold at the 2023 World Championships, adding to the significance of their Paralympic achievement. [1]
The Latvian team’s success at the Milan-Cortina Games also came amidst a broader context of protest and solidarity within the Paralympic movement. Latvian Paralympians, along with athletes from 14 other nations, chose to boycott the opening ceremony of the Games in protest against the participation of Russian athletes. [3] Further demonstrations occurred during medal ceremonies, with German Paralympians protesting Russia’s presence. [1]
Whereas the Latvian delegation did not participate in the closing ceremony of the Games, the bronze medal win remains a source of immense national pride. The achievement underscores the growing strength of Latvian parasport and serves as an inspiration for future generations of athletes. The success of Rožkova and Lasmans also highlights the importance of continued investment in parasport infrastructure and financial support to enable athletes to reach their full potential.
What’s Next: The Latvian wheelchair curling team will now focus on preparations for future competitions, aiming to build on their Paralympic success. Details regarding their upcoming training schedule and competition plans will be released by the Latvian Paralympic Committee in the coming weeks. Fans can follow updates on the Latvian Paralympic Committee’s official website and social media channels.
