Winter Paralympic Games
Wikipedia - Recent changes [en] - Tuesday, April 28, 2026Changes made to the introduction and cheating sections. The cheating accusations are mainly focussed on summer sports, not winter sports.
← Previous revision Revision as of 11:10, 28 April 2026 Line 19: Line 19: The [[International Paralympic Committee]] (IPC) oversees the delivery of the Games. Medals are awarded in each event: with gold for first place, silver for second, and bronze for third, following the tradition that the [[Olympic Games]] began in 1904. The [[International Paralympic Committee]] (IPC) oversees the delivery of the Games. Medals are awarded in each event: with gold for first place, silver for second, and bronze for third, following the tradition that the [[Olympic Games]] began in 1904.The Winter Paralympics began in [[1976 Winter Paralympics|1976]] in [[Örnsköldsvik]], Sweden. Those Games were the first Paralympics that featured athletes other than those in wheelchairs. The Games have expanded and grown, including the [[Summer Paralympic Games]], to become part of the largest international sporting event after the Olympics. Given their expansion, the need for a very specific [[Disability sport classification|classification system]] has arisen. This system has also given rise to controversy and opened the door for various forms of cheating, which has tainted the integrity of the Games. The Winter Paralympics began in [[1976 Winter Paralympics|1976]] in [[Örnsköldsvik]], Sweden, with 198 Para athletes from 16 countries taking part. Those Games were the first Paralympics that featured athletes other than those in wheelchairs. Since 1976 the Games have grown in size and stature. Multiple records were broken at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games which marked the 50th anniversary of the first Games. A record number of athletes and countries took part while more countries won medals than any previous Winter Games. In addition more broadcasters than ever before covered the event, beaming TV pictures around the world.
As the Games have grown the list of eligible impairments has increased.. ⚫ Norway has been the top-ranking (medals) nation for four Paralympic Winter Games: [[1980 Winter Paralympics|1980]], [[1988 Winter Paralympics|1988]], [[1994 Winter Paralympics|1994]], and [[1998 Winter Paralympics|1998]]. Germany has been the top-ranking (medals) for three Paralympic Winter Games: [[1976 Winter Paralympics|1976]], [[2002 Winter Paralympics|2002]], and [[2010 Winter Paralympics|2010]]. China ([[2022 Winter Paralympics|2022]] and [[2026 Winter Paralympics|2026]]), Russia ([[2006 Winter Paralympics|2006]] and [[2014 Winter Paralympics|2014]]) and the United States ([[1992 Winter Paralympics|1992]] and [[2018 Winter Paralympics|2018]]) have been the top-ranking nation two time each. Austria ([[1984 Winter Paralympics|1984]]) has been the top-ranking nation one time.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Paralympic Games - Results |url=https://www.paralympic.org/paralympic-games-results |access-date=2022-03-14 |website=International Paralympic Committee |language=en}}</ref>
⚫ Norway has been the top-ranking (medals) nation for four Paralympic Winter Games: [[1980 Winter Paralympics|1980]], [[1988 Winter Paralympics|1988]], [[1994 Winter Paralympics|1994]], and [[1998 Winter Paralympics|1998]]. Germany has been the top-ranking (medals) for three Paralympic Winter Games: [[1976 Winter Paralympics|1976]], [[2002 Winter Paralympics|2002]], and [[2010 Winter Paralympics|2010]]. China ([[2022 Winter Paralympics|2022]] and [[2026 Winter Paralympics|2026]]), Russia ([[2006 Winter Paralympics|2006]] and [[2014 Winter Paralympics|2014]]) and the United States ([[1992 Winter Paralympics|1992]] and [[2018 Winter Paralympics|2018]]) have been the top-ranking nation two times each. Austria ([[1984 Winter Paralympics|1984]]) has been the top-ranking nation one time.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Paralympic Games - Results |url=https://www.paralympic.org/paralympic-games-results |access-date=2022-03-14 |website=International Paralympic Committee |language=en}}</ref>
==History== ==History== The origins of the Winter Paralympics are much similar to the [[Summer Paralympics]]. Injured soldiers returning from World War II sought sports as an avenue to healing.<ref name=phistory>{{cite news|title=History of the Paralympics|publisher=BBC Sport|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/disability_sport/7582206.stm|access-date=2010-04-21 | date=2008-09-04}}</ref> Organized by Dr. [[Ludwig Guttmann]], sports competitions between British convalescent hospitals began in 1948 and continued until 1960 when a parallel Olympics was held in [[Rome]] after the [[1960 Summer Olympics]]. Over 400 wheelchair athletes competed at the [[1960 Paralympic Games]], which became known as the first Paralympics.<ref name=phistory/> The origins of the Winter Paralympics are much similar to the [[Summer Paralympics]]. Injured soldiers returning from World War II sought sports as an avenue to healing.<ref name=phistory>{{cite news|title=History of the Paralympics|publisher=BBC Sport|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/disability_sport/7582206.stm|access-date=2010-04-21 | date=2008-09-04}}</ref> Organized by Dr. [[Ludwig Guttmann]], sports competitions between British convalescent hospitals began in 1948 and continued until 1960 when a parallel Olympics was held in [[Rome]] after the [[1960 Summer Olympics]]. Over 400 wheelchair athletes competed at the [[1960 Paralympic Games]], which became known as the first Paralympics.<ref name=phistory/>
[[File:1stWinterParaolympics1976.jpg|thumb|left|Official sticker from the first Winter Paralympics held in [[Örnsköldsvik]], [[Sweden]], 1976]] Sepp Zwicknagl, a pioneer of snow sports for disabled athletes, was a double-leg amputee Austrian skier who experimented skiing using prosthetics. His work helped pioneer [[Technological changes at the Paralympic Games|technological advances]] for people with disabilities who wished to participate in winter sports.<ref name=origins>{{cite web|title=Örnsköldsvik 1976|publisher=International Paralympic Committee|url=http://www.paralympic.org/Paralympic_Games/Past_Games/Oernskoeldsvik_1976/index.html|access-date=2010-04-14}}</ref> Advances were slow, and it was not until 1974 that the first official world ski competition for physically impaired athletes, featuring downhill and a cross-country skiing, was held.<ref name=origins/> The first Winter Paralympics were held in [[1976 Winter Paralympics|1976]] at [[Örnsköldsvik]], Sweden from February 21–28. Alpine and Nordic skiing for amputees and visually impaired athletes were the main events but ice sledge racing was included as a demonstration event.<ref name=origins/> There were 198 participating athletes from 16 countries,<ref>{{cite web|title=IPC website - Ornskoldsvik 1976 Paralympic Winter Games|publisher=International Paralympic Committee|url=https://www.paralympic.org/ornskoldsvik-1976|access-date=2026-04-27}}</ref> and it was the first time that athletes with impairments other than wheelchair athletes were permitted to compete.<ref name=history>{{cite web|title=History of the Paralympic Games|publisher=The Government of Canada|url=http://www.canada2010.gc.ca/101/histor/010203-eng.cfm|access-date=2010-04-14}}</ref> [[File:1stWinterParaolympics1976.jpg|thumb|left|Official sticker from the first Winter Paralympics held in [[Örnsköldsvik]], [[Sweden]], 1976]] Sepp Zwicknagl, a pioneer of snow sports for disabled athletes, was a double-leg amputee Austrian skier who experimented skiing using prosthetics. His work helped pioneer [[Technological changes at the Paralympic Games|technological advances]] for people with disabilities who wished to participate in winter sports.<ref name=origins>{{cite web|title=Örnsköldsvik 1976|publisher=International Paralympic Committee|url=http://www.paralympic.org/Paralympic_Games/Past_Games/Oernskoeldsvik_1976/index.html|access-date=2010-04-14}}</ref> Advances were slow, and it was not until 1974 that the first official world ski competition for physically impaired athletes, featuring downhill and a cross-country skiing, was held.<ref name=origins/> The first Winter Paralympics were held in [[1976 Winter Paralympics|1976]] at [[Örnsköldsvik]], Sweden from February 21–28. Patra alpine and Para Nordic skiing for amputees and visually impaired athletes were the main events but ice sledge racing was included as a demonstration event.<ref name=origins/> There were 198 participating athletes from 16 countries,<ref>{{cite web|title=IPC website - Ornskoldsvik 1976 Paralympic Winter Games|publisher=International Paralympic Committee|url=https://www.paralympic.org/ornskoldsvik-1976|access-date=2026-04-27}}</ref> and it was the first time that athletes with impairments other than wheelchair athletes were permitted to compete.<ref name=history>{{cite web|title=History of the Paralympic Games|publisher=The Government of Canada|url=http://www.canada2010.gc.ca/101/histor/010203-eng.cfm|access-date=2010-04-14}}</ref>
Starting in [[1988 Summer Paralympics|1988]] the Summer Paralympics were held in the same host city as the [[Summer Olympic Games]]. This was due to an agreement reached between the [[International Olympic Committee]] (IOC) and the [[International Paralympic Committee]] (IPC). The [[1992 Winter Paralympics]] were the first Winter Games to use the same facilities as the [[1992 Winter Olympics|Winter Olympics]].<ref name=history/> Starting in [[1988 Summer Paralympics|1988]] the Summer Paralympics were held in the same host city as the [[Summer Olympic Games]]. This was due to an agreement reached between the [[International Olympic Committee]] (IOC) and the [[International Paralympic Committee]] (IPC). The [[1992 Winter Paralympics]] were the first Winter Games to use the same facilities as the [[1992 Winter Olympics|Winter Olympics]].<ref name=history/>
Sportspeople with intellectual disabilities competed at the Winter Paralympics for the first time in [[1992 Winter Paralympics|1992]] in alpine skiing and cross country skiing. These were demonstration events. For the [[1994 Winter Paralympics]], biathlon was added as a demonstration sport. Athletes with intellectual disabilities have not competed at a Winter Paralympics since [[1998 Winter Paralympics|1998]].<ref name=":1" /><ref>https://apnews.com/article/paralympics-2030-athletes-intellectual-disabilities-f97d6b77829c5937a2708fe4ef734eca</ref> Sportspeople with intellectual disabilities competed at the Winter Paralympics for the first time in [[1992 Winter Paralympics|1992]] in Para alpine skiing and Para cross country skiing. These were demonstration events. For the [[1994 Winter Paralympics]], Para biathlon was added as a demonstration sport. Athletes with intellectual disabilities have not competed at a Winter Paralympics since [[1998 Winter Paralympics|1998]].<ref name=":1" /><ref>https://apnews.com/article/paralympics-2030-athletes-intellectual-disabilities-f97d6b77829c5937a2708fe4ef734eca</ref>
==Cheating== ==Cheating== {{Main|Cheating at the Paralympic Games}} {{Main|Cheating at the Paralympic Games}} Athletes have cheated by over-representing impairment to have a competitive advantage, and the use of performance-enhancing drugs.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cheating shame of Paralympics|last=Slot|first=Owen|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=2001-02-03|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2998162/Cheating-shame-of-Paralympics.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2998162/Cheating-shame-of-Paralympics.html |archive-date=2022-01-12 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=2010-04-07 | location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Cheating does happen in the Paralympics|last=Grey-Thompson|first=Tanni|date=2008-09-11|work=The Daily Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/paralympicsport/2798515/Cheating-does-happens-in-the-Paralympics-Paralympics.html|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20120828224222/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympic-sport/2798515/Cheating-does-happens-in-the-Paralympics-Paralympics.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-08-28|access-date=2010-04-07 | location=London}}</ref> German skier Thomas Oelsner became the first Winter Paralympian to test positive for steroids in [[2002 Winter Paralympics|2002]]. He had won two gold medals in the alpine events but was stripped of his medals.<ref>{{cite web|title=Skier Fails Drug Test |last=Maffly |first=Bryan |publisher=Salt Lake 2002 Paralympics |date=2002-03-13 |url=http://saltlake2002.paralympic.org/ |access-date=2010-04-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605042933/http://saltlake2002.paralympic.org/ |archive-date=2010-06-05 }}</ref> German skier Thomas Oelsner became the first Winter Paralympian to test positive for steroids in [[2002 Winter Paralympics|2002]]. He had won two gold medals in the Para alpine skiing events but was stripped of his medals.<ref>{{cite web|title=Skier Fails Drug Test |last=Maffly |first=Bryan |publisher=Salt Lake 2002 Paralympics |date=2002-03-13 |url=http://saltlake2002.paralympic.org/ |access-date=2010-04-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605042933/http://saltlake2002.paralympic.org/ |archive-date=2010-06-05 }}</ref>
[[International Paralympic Committee]] (IPC) found evidence that the [[Doping in Russia|Disappearing Positive Methodology]] was in operation at the [[2014 Winter Paralympics]] in Sochi.<ref name=IPC160807/> On 7 August 2016, the IPC's Governing Board voted unanimously to ban the entire Russian team from the [[2016 Summer Paralympics]], citing the Russian Paralympic Committee's inability to enforce the IPC's Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Code which is "a fundamental constitutional requirement".<ref name=IPC160807/> IPC President Sir Philip Craven stated that the Russian government had "catastrophically failed its Para athletes".<ref name=Craven160807/> IPC Athletes' Council Chairperson Todd Nicholson said that Russia had used athletes as "pawns" in order to "show global prowess".<ref name=Nicholson160807/> [[International Paralympic Committee]] (IPC) found evidence that the [[Doping in Russia|Disappearing Positive Methodology]] was in operation at the [[2014 Winter Paralympics]] in Sochi.<ref name=IPC160807/> On 7 August 2016, the IPC's Governing Board voted unanimously to ban the entire Russian team from the [[2016 Summer Paralympics]], citing the Russian Paralympic Committee's inability to enforce the IPC's Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Code which is "a fundamental constitutional requirement".<ref name=IPC160807/> IPC President Sir Philip Craven stated that the Russian government had "catastrophically failed its Para athletes".<ref name=Craven160807/> IPC Athletes' Council Chairperson Todd Nicholson said that Russia had used athletes as "pawns" in order to "show global prowess".<ref name=Nicholson160807/>