The Milan-Cortina Paralympic Winter Games are set to kick off with the opening ceremony at Verona Arena, the historic Roman amphitheatre that recently hosted the Olympic closing ceremony. Here are key highlights about the 50th anniversary of the Winter Paralympics:
Similar to the Winter Olympics last month, the Paralympics are spread across northern Italy. Cortina d’Ampezzo hosts alpine skiing, snowboarding, and wheelchair curling, while nordic skiing events are held in Tesero. Milan’s Santagiulia arena is ready for Para hockey, where players use bladed sleds and short hockey sticks to maneuver on the ice.
The Winter Paralympics feature a more condensed program compared to the Olympics, with only six sports and nine days of medal events. The Games will showcase 665 athletes competing for 79 sets of medals, marking record highs for the Winter Paralympics but fewer participants and events compared to the Olympics.
The majority of medal events, 68 out of 79, are in skiing disciplines with standing, sitting, and visually impaired categories for both genders. Snowboarding will award eight sets of medals categorized by physical impairment.
New to wheelchair curling is the inclusion of mixed doubles events, adding more excitement to the competition. While the Canadian team did not qualify for this new event, they are participating in the traditional four-player mixed game, which mandates at least one female player per team.
The Paralympics have drawn attention with the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes competing under their national flag, sparking controversies and boycotts. Despite differing opinions, the Games are expected to showcase top-notch performances and sportsmanship.
Team Canada comprises 50 athletes, including seasoned members like Greg Westlake and rising stars like Natalie Wilkie and Mark Arendz. With a blend of experience and fresh talent, the Canadian team aims to build on past successes and make a mark in the ongoing Winter Paralympics.
To catch all the action, viewers can tune in to CBC TV for live broadcasts starting Saturday at noon ET. Additionally, the CBC Gem app offers exclusive live streaming and on-demand coverage of the Milano-Cortina Games. For detailed schedules and updates, visit the CBC Paralympics website for comprehensive coverage and highlights of the ongoing events.
