02/23/2026
Families from Steamboat Springs, Colorado - Rob Powers, his wife Dr. Laila Powers, M.D., and their daughter Gretchen Powers—along with former Steamboat resident and U.S. Olympian Sean Colgan (1980 rowing team), are spearheading El Salvador's historic debut at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games (March 6–15).
Through their nonprofit ONETEAMCF and it's OneTeam SV project, which they co-founded with the Colgan Foundation, this group has developed Para cross-country skiing in the tropical nation, developing two sit-skiers: David Chavez and Jonathan Arias. Both, survivors of gang violence that left them paralyzed, have qualified for the Games - marking El Salvador's first-ever Winter Paralympic (or Olympic) participation.
Rob Powers serves as Head Coach, Dr. Laila Powers, an emergency medicine physician at UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center, is the delegation's Chief Medical Officer. Gretchen Powers contributes as Assistant Coach and is documenting the journey through her photography and filmmaking. Sean Colgan, a longtime collaborator and friend of Steamboat, serves as coach and assistant team leader, bringing his Olympic Teams expertise and shared vision for adaptive sports inclusion.
The delegation is being led by 1984 Salvadoran Olympic swimmer Salvador Salguero, who will be performing double duties in Italy as Chef de Mission and President of the newly formed El Salvador Snow and Ice Federation.
Rooted in Steamboat's Olympic/Paralympic heritage, this all volunteer staff is bridging Steamboat's Olympic/Paralympic heritage with El Salvador's SurfCity, fostering resilience, inclusion, and history in the making for the small tropical country. 🇸🇻❄️ 📸 Gretchen Powers Film & Photo OneTeam SV
