The winter Paralympics hosts athletes who are ready to take on some of winter's most competitive sports. What sets these athletes apart is their spirit to overcome and do what many others have told them is impossible. The Paralympics includes many of the same events that take place in the mainstream Olympics. The games are played in the same host city as the Olympics every four years and Paralympians share the same venues as the Olympians.
Skiing
Alpine skiing was first offered on the Paralympic level in 1976 with slalom and giant slalom during the first Winter Paralympic Games. During the 1984 Paralympics, the downhill race was added, followed by the Super-G in 1994. Mono-skiing, which involves athletes who are unable to stand, became an event where medals where earned in 1998. The Paralympic alpine skiing events separate athletes based on whether they are standing, sitting or have visual impairments. Special equipment is used for skiers other than those with visual impairments who ski with a guide.
Biathlon
The biathlon, which combines shooting and cross-country skiing, was first introduced to the Paralympics in 1988. As with skiing, athletes are separated based on whether they are standing, sitting or have a visual impairment. Biathlons are set up as either short distance, where athletes ski a 2-1/2 km loop three times, or long distance, where athletes ski the loop five times. Each biathlon uses interval start format where athletes begin the race every 30 seconds and the fastest time combined with any penalties for missed shots wins.
Ice Sledge Hockey
Ice sledge hockey is played on a sledge invented by Swedish hockey players at a rehabilitation center in the early 1960s. In 1994, ice sledge hockey made its debut in the Paralympic games. Because all ice sledge hockey players sit down on the sledge, it is not necessary to separate those who can stand. Each game of ice sledge hockey consists of three 15-minute periods and is played with six players on the ice. The sticks used to propel the players across the ice double as their hockey sticks and each athlete has two.
Wheelchair Curling
Wheelchair curling is the newest sport to enter the Paralympic games, as of 2010. The sport made its debut during the 2006 games in Torino, Italy. Curlers take part in one tournament with coed teams. Each game in the tournament has eight ends, and during each end, the teams each throw eight stones. When throwing the stone, the athlete's wheelchair must be stationary, and players can only use their hands or their cue to throw the stone. The main difference between wheelchair curling and the curling seen in the Olympics is the sweeping teammates do during an Olympic throw. Teams with the most points at the end of eight ends wins and continues through the tournament.
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