2018 Winter Paralympics Games In PyeongChang: Presence of North Korea to Schedule, All You Need To Know

Barely a fortnight after the the Winter Olympics 2018 in PyeongChang, South Korea again welcome athletes from across the globe for the 2018 Winter Paralympics beginning from March 9 to 18 March.

According to reports, about 570 athletes from 48 nations will participate and compete in 80 medal events across six Winter Paralympic sports. The sports included are alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing, ice sledge hockey, snowboarding and wheelchair curling.

About the medals, the snow section will have majority to offer as 30 golds will be on offer in alpine skiing in disciplines such as downhill, slalom and giant slalom divided into standing, sitting and visually impaired classifications.

The ice games will have mixed male and female teams competing in the wheelchair curling and ice sledge hockey which are also considered two of the most prestigious titles of the Games.

Things to know about the 2018 Winter Paralympics Games

1. Competitors

The present world champions are Canada. The US are reigning double Paralympic champions, and there will be a tough contest between the two for the top two medals in the para ice hockey – which was formerly known as ice sledge hockey. It was rechristened and rebranded in 2016. The last four Paralympic golds have been won between the US and Canada but they haven't faced each other in the final.

2. North Korea Sends First Team Ever

After the 2018 Winter Olympics games, North Korea has sent a team for the Paralympics as well. The Korean nations had appeared under a unified flag at the Olympics' Parade of Nations. But the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) announced that the two Korean nations will march separately at the opening ceremony.

3. Russia Not Sending Official Team

The number of Russian para-athletes this time will be 30, less than half the number that Russia sent in the last games. In the 2014 Winter Paralympics in Sochi, Russia had won a record 80 medals, including 30 golds. All the Russian athletes have passed at least two anti-doping tests in the last six months, but  they will be competing as Neutral Paralympic Athletes and not as the official Russian athletes.

4. The Official Mascot

The official mascot for the 2018 Paralympics Games is Bandabi, an Asiatic black bear. “Bears are strong, courageous and determined creatures who make the most of their surroundings,” said Sir Philip Craven, the IPC president, and did not forget to add that they “are also seen as friendly and cuddly”. The Great Britain alpine ski racing team members Menna and Jen can be seen with the mascot "Bandabi".

5. Athletes to look out for

Canada's Brian McKeever has competed at every Winter Games since 2002, and won multiple golds. He has 13 medals to his name and expect him to win more at Pyeongchang. Mike Schultz is the world’s top-ranked snowboard-cross and banked slalom boarder, and he competes using prosthetics that he designed and manufactures in a workshop behind his house in St Cloud, Minnesota, reported the Guardian.

PyeongChang 2018 Organizing Committee President Lee Hee-beom said that "PyeongChang 2018 is ready to inspire, educate and excite the world. We have the world's best athletes, world-class facilities, and thousands of spectators filled with passion who are ready to witness sporting greatness on the snow and ice. It is going to be a wonderful 10 days that we will never forget." For now, it's time for the first Korean Paralympic Games and resilience on show by para- athletes who will show the world what it takes to excel and beat adversity.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 09, 2018 09:44 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).