Off The Podium - An Olympics Podcast · Ben Waterworth, Colin Hilding & Jarrod Loobeek

Episode 525 - Michael Milton Interview

·1 hr 19 min·5 clips

At 52, Michael Milton explains why he's returning to Paralympic skiing after beating bowel cancer and a fractured femur.

This episode features an interview with Michael Milton, Australia's most decorated winter Paralympian, conducted by host Ben Waterworth. Milton discusses his surprising comeback to competitive skiing at age 52, aiming for the 2026 Winter Paralympics nearly two decades after his last Games. The conversation explores his motivations, the logistics of his return, and his unique perspective as a veteran athlete. Milton explains his comeback began after enjoying a local race in Thredbo, which made him consider a return despite being older than other comeback skiers like Lindsay Vonn and Marcel Hirscher. He details needing to meet selection criteria, currently holding a world ranking of 32nd in Giant Slalom, and outlines key qualification races in December for speed events. His family is involved, with his son as a gym partner and daughter assisting with logistics, though his wife shoulders extra business responsibilities. Milton reflects that past Paralympics were not "fun" due to performance pressure, but he aims for a more relaxed experience in 2026 to share with his children. He reveals he lost his first gold medal from 1992 in his car's glovebox for eight months and permanently misplaced another from the Salt Lake Games. Milton secured his 1994 competition jumper back from a museum to wear in his comeback. He recalls the 1992 Games in Tignes as his most fun due to the team's breakthrough success, while the 2014 Sochi Games as a coach were marked by the geopolitical context and a later documentary on Russian doping. Milton is a three-time cancer survivor, having battled bone, esophageal, and bowel cancer, which now requires him to manage post-treatment fatigue. The tone is conversational and warmly nostalgic, blending personal reflection with practical sports discussion. Listeners interested in Paralympic history, comeback stories, or athlete psychology will find this compelling. Those seeking only current event analysis or high-performance technical details might find the personal narrative focus less engaging.

As heard by us

A comeback piece that keeps Milton's longevity, medal-light perspective, and stubborn momentum in view.

The episode gets Michael Milton right as one of Australia's top athletes and its most decorated winter Paralympians. It keeps the core arc intact: five Winter Games from 1988 to 2006, the 2008 Summer Paralympics cycling start, and the 2025 return at 52.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

A comeback story with podium memories, hard-earned medals, and a very public second act.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Off The Podium - An Olympics Podcast