20100313 The 2010 Winter Paralympics (2)

The 2010 Winter Paralympics

The Sports
The 10th Winter Paralympics last from March 12 to 21. During these 10 days, athletes will compete in five sports. Each sport has been adapted to fit the athlete's needs. For example, in the skiing events, a sit-ski was developed for athletes unable to stand. Athletes sit on a seat on one ski and use short poles to move and balance.

Skiers with limited eyesight use regular ski equipment but have another skier who guides them. Wheelchair curling was introduced as a Paralympic Sport in the 2006 Winter Paralympics. Athletes use their hands and poles, called delivery sticks, to position the 19.1-kg stones.

The athletes
The most inspiring element of the Paralympic Games is, without a doubt, the athletes themselves. They all have stories about overcoming physical challenges to excel in their sports. This coming week, extraordinary skills are sure to be displayed in Vancouver.

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How do disabled people compete in the Paralympics? In the Biathlon for example, visually impaired athletes shoot at their targets by listening to sounds that direct them towards the bull's eye. In the ice-sledge hockey event, athletes sit on sledges with two sticks. One end of the sticks is used to move over the ice. The other end is used to pass and shoot the puck.