PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS
![Lisa Bunschoten and boyfriend Chris Vos will be the Dutch flagbearers at the Beijing 2022 Opening Ceremony](/sites/default/files/2023-06/Lisabunschoten%201_0.jpg)
Lisa Bunschoten grateful to be flying the flag with boyfriend Vos at Beijing 2022
Snowboarders will hope to be the Netherlands’ golden couple in China
Down memory lane: The Games of Change — 1992 and 1994 Winter Games
In the 1994 Games, Norway's Ragnhild Myklebust emerged as the most outstanding athlete with five gold, two silver and two bronze
![male wheelchair curler Ole Fredrik Syversen](/sites/default/files/images/190227142857101_Ole-Fredrik-Syversen-getty.jpg)
Ole Fredrik Syversen is game for a laugh despite pain of defeat
Norwegian wheelchair curler still thinks about PyeongChang 2018 heartbreak every day, while hoping for another shot at gold in Beijing
![Bibian Mentel-Spee of Netherlands competes in the women's Banked Slalom SB-LL2 at the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Games.](/sites/default/files/2022-02/Bibian%20Mentel-Spee.jpg)
Moments etched in history of Paralympic Winter Games
The Games, over the years, have witnessed many outstanding performances by the Para athletes that will remain vivid in our minds for years to come
![Host Austria during the Opening Ceremony of the 1984 Paralympic Winter Games.](/sites/default/files/2022-02/Team%20Austria%201984..jpg)
Down memory lane: 1984 and 1988 Winter Games at Innsbruck
German Alpine skier Reinhild Moeller was the star of the 1984 Winter Games, claiming three gold and one silver.
![Two Para ice hockey players celebrating with a fist bump on their sledges.](/sites/default/files/2022-02/rsz_51277196165_9033f998df_o.jpg)
Groups preview: USA goes for more glory in new competition format
The group stage kicks off on 5 March with the knockout phase starting on 9 March with two quarterfinal showdowns at the National Indoor Stadium
World Para Dance Sport expresses condolences for the passing of Shlomo Dahan
Athlete represented Israel at the Bonn 2019 World Championships and was instrumental to develop Para dance sport in his country
![A female Para alpine skier crossing a red gate on a parallel event](/sites/default/files/2022-01/51838596864_9bbacb0a74_c.jpg)
Double world champion Ebba 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/images/180309032416505_Most%2Bdecorated%2BParalympian.jpg)
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/images/180313162251173_Theo%2BGmur%2BPyeongChang%2B2018.jpg)
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/2022-02/51719459689_339651d945_c.jpg)
St. Louis gets ready for USA's biggest ever 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/2022-02/rsz_51502232797_ca7620ec29_o.jpg)
Host nation announces a strong 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/2022-02/rsz_51264154192_1e1a662ac8_o.jpg)
Slovaks reveal a history-making squad for Beijing
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/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