PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS
Down memory lane: The beginning — 1976 and 1980 Winter Games
The first official World ski competition for disabled athletes, featuring downhill and cross-country skiing, was held in 1974
![Lauren Woolstencroft](/sites/default/files/2022-01/Lauren%20Woolstencroft.jpg)
Vancouver golden girl Woolstencroft recalls historic haul
‘My goal wasn’t to win five gold medals… but I thought it was possible’
![Ragnhild Myklebust and Kevin Coombs OAM holding the certificates as the first two recipients for the PLY initials](/sites/default/files/2022-02/PLY-Paralympic.jpg)
IPC introduces PLY post-nominal titles to recognise Paralympians
PLY can be added alongside the Paralympians’ name on official documentation, social media, cv, business cards or anywhere else their name may be used
![Zahra Nemati](/sites/default/files/images/161007104533877_zahra.jpg)
IPC unveils shortlist for 2022 International Women’s Day awards
Candidates named across Leadership, Emerging Leadership and NPC/IF categories
![A male sit skier in a Para alpine skiing competition](/sites/default/files/2022-02/GettyImages-1365191203_0.jpg)
Winter Paralympics preview: Para alpine skiing day one
Six gold medals up for grabs as the men's and women's downhill kick off the Para alpine skiing action at the Yanqing National Alpine Skiing Centre
![a group of Para ice hockey players in a heap on the ice](/sites/default/files/images/180323124045818_USA%2Bwin%2Bgold%2B3.jpg)
US Para Ice Hockey team looking to continue dominance
Stars hoping to see Para Ice Hockey on the same level as Olympic Ice Hockey one day
![China's Haitao Wang celebrates the gold after defeating Norway in the Curling Mixed medal match at the PyeongChang 2018 Games.](/sites/default/files/2022-02/Wang%20Haitao.jpg)
China look to build on home advantage
Though its Wheelchair Curling team starts as firm favourites at Beijing 2022, China will be hoping for medals from their other athletes as well
![A female swimmer in the pool, hanging onto a rope with both hands before the race start.](/sites/default/files/2022-02/rsz_ellie_challis_backstroke_start_%232_bpsm_2022.jpg)
Challis and Clegg shine on for hosts in Aberdeen
Aberdeen 2022 sets the bar high with epic performances and lots of records at the start of the Para Swimming World Series season (17-20 February)
![EYEING ONE LAST HURRAH: Brian McKeever is the most decorated cross-country skier in Paralympic history.](/sites/default/files/2022-02/Brian%20McKeever%201.jpg)
Canadian star Brian McKeever hoping to go out a winner
'I never did this sport for the recognition. I did it to see what I could get out of my body.'