Can’t Wait—We’re Almost There! The PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Games Are Coming!
I can’t wait—it’s almost time! From March 9 to 18, the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Games will be held!
Adaptive sports for people with disabilities have existed for quite some time. However, they gained greater visibility after World War II, as efforts were made to include injured veterans and civilians in sports. The first Summer Paralympic Games were held in 1960, followed by the first Winter Games in 1976. Since 1988 (Summer) and 1992 (Winter), the Paralympic Games have taken place in the same host cities and venues as the Olympic Games.
Para Alpine Skiing
This sport includes three categories of skiers: standing (with upper and/or lower limb impairments), sitting, and visually impaired. Events this year include downhill, Super-G, giant slalom, slalom, and super combined.
At the 2014 Sochi Games, Team Canada won 2 gold, 1 silver, and 5 bronze medals in alpine skiing.
This year’s team includes 12 athletes (7 men and 5 women). You can find the full list here:
🔗 https://alpinecanada.org/news/para-alpine-athletes-nominated-to-canadian-paralympic-team-for-pyeongchang
Le Journal de Québec published an article on one of the most promising athletes on the team—Alexis Guimond, a Quebecer from Gatineau who suffered several strokes as a child, resulting in hemiparesis that affects both sides of his body, especially the left. Read more about his journey here:
🔗 http://www.journaldequebec.com/2017/08/20/la-lecon-despoir-dalexis-guimond
Official sport description:
🔗 https://www.pyeongchang2018.com/en/paralympics/sports/alpine-skiing
Here’s a short video that explains how para alpine skiing works:
Para Nordic Skiing
Also known as cross-country skiing, it includes athletes with upper and/or lower limb impairments who ski either standing or sitting, as well as visually impaired athletes. Events include sprint, 5 km (women) or 10 km (men), 15 km (women) or 20 km (men), mixed relay, and open relay.
At the 2014 Sochi Games, Canada won 4 gold medals in cross-country skiing. One of the team’s top athletes is Brian McKeever, who has macular degeneration affecting his vision. He has skied for years with his guide, Graham Nishikawa.
🔗 http://paralympic.ca/brian-mckeever
Official sport description:
🔗 https://www.pyeongchang2018.com/en/paralympics/sports/cross-country-skiing
Here’s a video introducing this sport:
Biathlon
Team Canada also competes in the para biathlon. At Sochi 2014, Canada took home a silver medal. Events include short distance (7.5 km men / 6 km women), middle distance (12.5 km men / 10 km women), and long distance (15 km men / 12.5 km women).
Official page:
🔗 https://www.pyeongchang2018.com/en/paralympics/sports/biathlon
Video by the Paralympic Association:
Para snowboard
A new addition to the Paralympics, snowboarding made its debut in Sochi in 2014. Athletes have upper or lower limb impairments; visually impaired athletes are not yet included. Events are Snowboard Cross (SBX) and Banked Slalom (BSL).
Canada didn’t win any medals in Sochi, but the team has shown strong promise. Canada recently placed third at the Para Snowboard Nations Cup. The team has 5 members, including Michelle Salt, the only woman. She placed third overall in Banked Slalom rankings and earned 4 silver and 3 bronze medals in the 2015–2016 World Cup. After losing a leg in a motorcycle accident, many told her she’d never snowboard again. She proved them wrong. I’m excited to watch her in action.
More on the team here:
🔗 https://www.canadasnowboard.ca/en/team/para/
Here’s the official Paralympic video on para snowboard:
Wheelchair Curling
Wheelchair curling made its Paralympic debut in 2006 in Turin. Since then, Team Canada has won gold every single time, totaling 4 gold medals in all Paralympic appearances.
This year’s team has a slightly new lineup but remains a strong contender for gold. The team includes 2 women and 3 men. Learn more here:
🔗 http://www.curling.ca/blog/2017/12/08/lequipe-canadienne-de-curling-en-fauteuil-roulant-a-ete-choisie-pour-etre-mise-en-nomination-aupres-du-comite-paralympique-canadien-pour-les-jeux-paralympiques-dhiver-2018/?lang=en
Video on wheelchair curling:
Sledge Hockey (Para Ice Hockey)
Also known as para ice hockey, Canada’s team won bronze at the 2014 Sochi Games. Expectations are even higher this year: Canada took gold at the 2017 World Championship in Gangneung, South Korea.
Dominic Larocque, a Quebec player, switched positions from forward to goaltender since the last Paralympics and had an outstanding performance—two shutouts at the World Championship. Learn more about him:
🔗 http://paralympic.ca/dominic-larocque
Full 2018 Canadian team:
🔗 https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/team-canada/men/sledge/2018-paralympics/2018-paralympic-hockey-team
Watch the official video:
A Discontinued Sport
While the number of Paralympic sports has grown, one event has disappeared: ice sledge racing. It was part of the Games from 1980 to 1988 and from 1994 to 1998. Competitors raced on a 400-meter oval in events ranging from 100 m to 15,000 m, using sledges slightly different from those in hockey. The sport is no longer included, and little information is available today.
What’s Next? A New Paralympic Sport
Para bobsleigh is set to debut at the 2022 Paralympic Games. It has received preliminary approval but must meet criteria, including hosting enough World Championships.
🔗 https://www.paralympic.org/news/para-bobsleigh-world-championships-5-things-know
Inspiring Stories
The stories of these young—and not-so-young—Paralympians are both fascinating and deeply inspiring. I encourage you to follow their journeys. They are truly impressive.
Broadcast Information
The PyeongChang Paralympic Games will be broadcast on Radio-Canada, with the opening ceremony airing on Friday, March 9 at 11:05 PM.