The Paralympic Winter Games happen after every four years and the next ones are scheduled for 2026 and will run from March 6 to 15. The game’s venue will be Milan, Italy and it will be overseen by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). The 10-day event celebrates the human spirit, as disabled people from all around the world are invited to compete in sports of their choice. Amputations, cerebral palsy, wheelchair, visual impairment, intellectual disability, and thalidomide-induced impairment are the six categories of disabilities recognized by the IPC. The winners are awarded silver, bronze, and gold medals.
History of Paralympic Winter Games
The Paralympic Winter Games is an international multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities. It’s the counterpart of the Paralympic Summer Games. Athletes with one of six IOC-identified disabilities get to compete for medals and international recognition. It is an approximately 10-day long event, held every four years in different countries of the world. Sports for athletes with disabilities have existed since the late 19th Century, but professional competition on a global stage began in the 1950s.
In 1944, the British Government established a special care unit for spinal injuries at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. Under the leadership of Sir Ludwig Guttmann, the hospital evolved into a rehabilitation center for competitive sports. After the Second World War, injured soldiers returned home and bonded with other injured and impaired soldiers over indoor and outdoor sports. Strung along these initiatives, the concept of international disability competitions was first discussed.
The Winter Edition of the Paralympics was launched in 1976, two decades after the first Paralympic Games were held in Rome. The Paralympics started with 16 founding countries. Many events across several sports were held in the first Paralympic Winter Games, including skiing. There are many people who paved the way for the Paralympic Winter Games, one of the prominent ones being Sepp Zwicknagl, a double-leg amputee and professional skier who tried skiing with prosthetics for the first time. The International Olympic Committee continues to refine the selection process for the Paralympics, with efforts to put forward a larger representation of people with different kinds of disabilities. The 2022 Paralympic Winter Games will have five sports, namely Alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, para ice hockey, snowboarding, and wheelchair curling.
Paralympic Winter Games timeline
Sir Ludwig Guttmann opens a spinal injuries center at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, which grows into a recreational center for competitive sports among athletes with disabilities
The first Summer Paralympic competitive series is launched in Rome, which leads to the spin-off of the Paralympic Winter Games.
The first Paralympic Winter Games are held in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden
The 2022 Paralympic Winter Games are held in Beijing, China, spanning 10 days and covering 78 events.
Paralympic Winter Games FAQs
Is autism a qualifying disability for the Paralympics?
Autism is not included in the six defining disabilities set out by the IOC.
Is ‘Paralympic’ derived from the word ‘paralysis’?
No. The word ‘Paralympic’ is taken from the Greek word ‘para’, which translates to ‘alongside’. It is conjoined with the word ‘Olympic’ to illustrate the parallel existence of the two events.
Which country came second to host the 2026 Winter Games?
It’s the city of Stockholm in Sweden.
How to Observe Paralympic Winter Games
Watch the games
The Paralympic Winter Games are some of the most-watched events in the sports world. Tune in to mark the extraordinary feats of hundreds of athletes and celebrate the triumph of the human spirit.
Support your local sports community
The next Olympic medalist could be in your locality, struggling to fund their training and lifestyle. This Paralympic season, step up your support to the cause by making direct contributions to local athletes and sports institutions.
Support the disabled community
File petitions for disabled-friendly infrastructure in public spaces such as post offices, community halls, and parks. Fight the stigma surrounding the community of people living with disabilities.
5 Inspiring Facts About The Paralympic Winter Games
Norway all the way
Norway remains the most awarded country at the Paralympic Winter Games with 327 medals, including 136 golds.
An audience of billions
About 4.1 billion people watched the finale of the 2016 Paralympics in Rio, an upward increase of 2.1 billion from the London finale of 2012.
Medal winners
Out of the 127 countries that have competed at the Paralympic Winter Games so far, only 35 have ever won a medal.
The wheelchair unity
Wheelchair curling is a popular team sport event at the games, with teams from 12 countries.
Recycling is the way to go
The 2020 medals were made of recycled electronic junk in a bid to promote recycling and sustainability.
Why Paralympic Winter Games is Important
It promotes equity
The Paralympics is a powerful reminder of the ongoing fight for equal participation. From sports to recreational activities, people with disabilities have a right to participate in society at all levels.
It brings out the best values
The Paralympics represent the virtues of courage, inspiration, determination, and equality. These are important qualities that all of us can hope to emulate in our lives.
It champions the spirit of participation
The Paralympics is known for its unique sense of camaraderie and companionship that shines through its contestants, as they let go of the bounds put in place by their disabilities to engage in the 10-day sporting event. The spirit of participation amongst the Paralympic athletes trumps the desire to succeed.