PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS
![A female Para alpine skier crossing a red gate on a parallel event](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2022-01/51838596864_9bbacb0a74_c.jpg?h=e9b761b2&itok=cfLMfun-)
Aarsjoe handling the pressure ahead of Paralympics bow
‘I like the excitement. It prepares your mind and body to perform’
![a female Nordic skier](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/images/180309032416505_Most%2Bdecorated%2BParalympian.jpg?itok=EGHcdIab)
The Paralympic pioneers who helped create a PLY legacy
Kevin Coombs and Ragnhild Myklebust, the first two athletes to receive PLY status, explore how things have changed for the better for Paralympians
![a male Para alpine skier rounds a gate](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/images/180313162251173_Theo%2BGmur%2BPyeongChang%2B2018.jpg?itok=jy2DL0XJ)
Winter Paralympics preview: Para alpine skiing day two
Super-G races provided some of the best performances at January's World Championships and now take centre stage on Sunday at Beijing 2022
![A man lifting a bar on a bench press](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2022-02/51719459689_339651d945_c.jpg?h=fa15e057&itok=HOm-d-Ar)
St. Louis gets ready for USA's biggest Para powerlifting event
Parapan American Open Championships to take place at Logan University, home of USA Para Powerlifting from 8-11 July
![Three Para ice hockey players in red jerseys celebrating with fist bumps.](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2022-02/rsz_51502232797_ca7620ec29_o.jpg?itok=AJZAav3k)
China announces 18-member squad for Beijing 2022
Jing Yu is the only female athlete on the squad and the third female Para ice hockey player to take part in the Paralympic Games
![A group of Para ice hockey players on sledges celebrating the victory with a group hug.](/sites/default/files/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2022-02/rsz_51264154192_1e1a662ac8_o.jpg?itok=nI0Hdb8e)
Slovakia reveals a history-making squad for Beijing 2022
Slovakia is making its Paralympic debut with the 15-member squad only 12 years since starting Para ice hockey in the country
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/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2022-01/Lauren%20Woolstencroft.jpg?h=7bdeb4e6&itok=mP99DNJj)
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/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/2022-02/PLY-Paralympic.jpg?h=9e1255a3&itok=8ZBduSv0)
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/styles/image_crop_16_9_800_450/public/images/161007104533877_zahra.jpg?itok=IA1Mjn7o)
IPC unveils shortlist for 2022 International Women’s Day awards
Candidates named across Leadership, Emerging Leadership and NPC/IF categories