PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS
![Akira Kano](/sites/default/files/images/140308134404243_477244127.jpg)
Explaining alpine skiing’s factor system
Find out how athletes with a different impairment can compete against in each other in the same event on the slopes.
Greg Westlake: ‘I’m here to win a hockey tournament’
The Canadian ice sledge hockey captain gives us his brief insight into the Sochi 2014 tournament.
![Nikolay Polukhin](/sites/default/files/2023-08/170303081111310_Nikolai-Polukhin.jpg.jpg)
What to watch: Day 1 at Sochi 2014
The first day of action includes, Jon Santacana Maiztegui, Nikolay Polukhin and Seung-Hwan Jung.
![2014 Visa Paralympic Hall of Fame inductess graphic](/sites/default/files/images/140227093546326_PHOF_TV_Slide_06_Inductees_vF_0.jpg)
Visa Paralympic Hall of Fame inducts three new faces
Eric Villalon Fuentes, Verena Bentele and Jon Kreamelmeyer were all honoured by the Paralympic Movement.
![Ottobock at Sochi 2014](/sites/default/files/images/140308071559827_476753627_0.jpg)
Ottobock’s Sochi 2014 services open for business
There will be 28 technicians across all sports helping athletes with technical services at the Sochi 2014 Paralympics.
![Mikhalina Lysova](/sites/default/files/images/140218110512088_26_01_Oberried_Nordic_Biathlon_WC_2014_00719_WATERMARK_0.jpg)
Russia looking for biathlon medals on Day 1
Top Russian skiers Roman Petushkov and Mikhalina Lysova will highlight the first day of the biathlon competition.
![Andrea Eskau](/sites/default/files/images/140308195850972_477288519_0.jpg)
McFadden, Eskau to highlight cross-country skiing opener
The first day of Sochi 2014 cross-country skiing will feature the men’s and women’s long-distance sitting events.
![Sir Phillip Craven, IPC president speaks during the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games](/sites/default/files/images/140307191608390_477126273_0.jpg)
'Sport must be the winner,' says Sir Philip Craven
Read the entire speech of the IPC President from the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games.
![France's Vincent Gauthier-Manuel skiing slalom race at 2013 IPC Alpine Skiing World Cup in St Moritz, Switzerland](/sites/default/files/images/130115224726888_gauthier.jpg)
Vincent Gauthier-Manuel ready to get going
The alpine skier will carry France’s flag during the Sochi 2014 Opening Ceremony before he takes to the slopes in the men’s downhill standing.
![Fireworks go off to mark the beginning of the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games](/sites/default/files/images/140307182535441_477118229_0.jpg)
Sochi 2014 Paralympic Opening Ceremony lights up Russia
Over the next nine days, 547 athletes from 45 countries will compete at the first Paralympic Winter Games ever held in Russia.
Sir Philip praises Sochi 2014 accessibility
The Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games are already proving to be one of the most accessible yet for athletes both in the coast and the mountains.
![A picture of a man in a sledge skiing](/sites/default/files/images/121217172214620_kubo_kozo_2_0.jpg)
Top 10 rivalries at Sochi 2014
Find out what will be the best athlete rivalries to watch across all Paralympic sports from 7-16 March.
![Marie Bochet](/sites/default/files/images/140307122305457_476978453_0.jpg)
Downhill races to kick off alpine skiing in Sochi
France’s Marie Bochet and Spain's Jon Santacana Maiztegui are hoping to claim downhill golds on the first day of the Sochi 2014 Paralympics.
![Ukraine cross-country skiing](/sites/default/files/images/140307101822686_476508001_0.jpg)
Ukraine to participate at Sochi 2014 Paralympics
The Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games will last from 7-16 March.
![A picture of 2 person in wheelchairs playing curling](/sites/default/files/images/130218105354669_richardgray_15446489959.jpg)
Sochi 2014: Previewing the wheelchair curling competition
Canada and Sweden are expected to be the ones to beat in wheelchair curling at Sochi 2014.
![Great Britain Sochi 2014 welcome ceremony](/sites/default/files/images/140307085619906_476973269_0.jpg)
Sochi 2014 Opening Ceremony flag bearers
Here is a list of who will be carrying the flags for the 45 countries marching at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games Opening Ceremony.
![Siamand Rahman](/sites/default/files/images/120905215200766_Siamand%2BRahman%2B_0.jpg)
Top 10 powerlifters to look out for at Dubai 2014
The 2014 IPC Powerlifting World Championships take place in Dubai, UAE, from 5-11 April, but who should you be watching?
![Empty image](/themes/custom/theme_builder/master_page_vista_2019/images/empty.png)
Top 10 winter Paralympic nations of all-time
Find out the top countries in Paralympic winter sport and their best medal hopes for the Sochi 2014 Games.
![Canada Wheelchair Curling Team](/sites/default/files/images/120110171533686_97680748_10.jpg)
Sonja Gaudet given the honour of flag bearer for Canada
Sonja Gaudet, a two-time Paralympic wheelchair curling champion, will lead out Team Canada at the Sochi 2014 Opening Ceremony
![Andre Cintra](/sites/default/files/images/140115171903055_andre3_0.jpg)
Three countries to make Winter Paralympic debuts
Six athletes will have the opportunity to represent their country for the first time on the Paralympic Winter Games at Sochi 2014.