Torchbearers Spread Olympic Fever Across South Korea

Follow the torchbearer tour across South Korea, which began November 1, see itinerary. 
The theme for the torchbearer tour is "Let Everyone Shine!" 

Originating in historic Greece, the torch will follow a journey of 101 days by land, sea and air and be borne by young and old. The specially designed torch can withstand extremes, remaining alight including subzero temperatures. 

Torch arrival with fireworks

Torchbearers represent individuals who are pursuing their dreams and opening new horizons, including individuals with disabilities. The route will pass through 9 provinces, 8 major cities and 151 counties and districts. Many gather to happily greet the torch upon its arrival, celebrating with applause, music and fireworks. 

Day 12 Photo - Olympic Torchbearers

What sports will be featured during 2018 Paralympic Games?

The 2018 Paralympic Games to be held 9-18 March, 2018 will feature exciting snow and ice sports, including Para Alpine Skiing, Para Biathlon, Para Cross-Country Skiing, Para Ice Hockey, Para Snowboard and Wheelchair Curling. 

For instance, Para Alpine Skiing debuted as an Olympic sport in Sweden in 1976 by injured veterans who wanted to practice their sport following WWII. Within this classification are Downhill, Super-G, Super Combined, Giant Slalom and Slalom. Athletes are classified into Visually Impaired (B1-B3), Standing (LW1-LW9) and Sitting (LW10-LW12) categories. 

A second Paralympic Winter sport is Para Ice Hockey. Fifteen athletes compete during three 15-minute periods with a time out between each period. Five players (two defensemen and three forwards), plus a goaltender may be on ice for play at one time. 

Spectators will gather in the Olympic Stadium in PyeongChang for opening and closing ceremonies; snow sports will be held in PyeongChang and Jeongseon Area. Ice sports will be held at Gangneung in Olympic Park and at Kwandong University. Planners have mapped routes for autos, express buses, shuttles and train, moving fans and athletes between venues. 

Identity of the Games - "The emblem symbolises a world open to everyone. It combines the image of ice and snow, winter sports stars (athletes), and people from all over the world, coming together in PyeongChang where heaven meets earth."

Paralympics Emblem

Countdown to Pyeong Chang and 2018 Winter Games

Anticipation is building for 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games hosted by South Korea
in three dynamic alpine regions, Pyeong Chang, Gangneung and Jeongseon beginning 9 February. 

Exciting new venues have been constructed to welcome athletes, coaches and fans from across the Globe! The shape of a pentagon symbolizes five goals of the Winter Games: the economy, the environment, IT, the arts and peace.

Pyeong Chang Olympic Stadium

Pyeong Chang Introduction to the Host City - cited in the Alps of Korea, 700 metres above sea level features many activities, including skiing, cave tours, traditional marketplace, Daegwalryeong Flower Snow Festival, winter trout fishing, and more! 

Two mascots, Soohorang and Bandabi, playfully welcome fans of all ages. Soohorang, the white tiger, is Korea's guardian, who represents protection for the athletes. His partner is Bandabi, an Asiatic black bear. Bandabi stands for equality and harmony and will encourage athletes to excel. 

Watch for more updates!

USA achieves recognition during Snowboard Word Cup

USA snowboarders brought home three wins from the International Paralympic 
Committee (IPC) World Cup race held on 17 November on indoor slopes
of the Netherlands. Evan Strong, Mike Minor and Brenna Huckaby led in banked slalom,
finishing ahead of leading paralympic athletes from other nations. Dutch snowboarders
secured two wins pleasing a local crowd. Visit IPC Snowboard's website for full results. 

The season will continue in January 2017 in La Molina, Spain, followed by the
2017 World Para Snowboard Championships in Big White, Canada, from 1-17 February.
Finally, a test event in PyeongChang, South Korea will be held in preparation for
2018 Winter Paralympics.

Oriol Molas, 2015. https://www.paralympic.org/snowboard/2016-2017-world-cup/pyeongchang 

Looking forward to 2018 Paralympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea!

The first Olympic Winter Games was held in Chamonix, France, in 1924 and the 22nd edition was celebrated in Sochi, Russia, in 2014. 

PyeongChang is the host city for the 23rd Olympic Winter Games in 2018. LINK

[Source: Jeongseon-gun]

"Pyeongchang county is the host of the 2018 Winter Olympics. Two main ski resorts in the area, Alpensia and Yongpyong, will host most of the events. Alpensia has the main Olympic Village, hosting the ski jumping, luge, bobsleigh and cross-country skiing, while Yongpyong, which is one of northeast Asia’s better ski resorts, will host the downhill slalom events. The ceremonies will be held in a purpose-built temporary stadium about two kilometres from Alpensia Olympic Village.

The town of Hoenggye (횡계) serves as a transit hub for both ski resorts and provides cheaper eating options, a bit of nightlife, and basic accommodation such as Boutique Olive, which has clean, reasonably priced condo rooms." 

Read more: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/south-korea/gang-won-do/yongpyong-ski-resort/introduction#ixzz4L1WUlAlt

News feeds to wrap up Rio 2016 Paralympic Games

News feeds to wrap up 2016 Paralympic Games...

10 Personalities Who Left Their Mark on the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games
https://www.rio2016.com/en/paralympics/news/10-people-who-left-their-mark-on-the-rio-2016-paralympic-games


10 Unforgettable Sporting Moments at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games
https://www.rio2016.com/en/paralympics/news/10-unforgettable-moments-of-paralympics-sport-rio-2016-highlights


Curtain Comes Down on the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games with, of course, a Massive Party
https://www.rio2016.com/en/paralympics/news/rio-2016-paralympic-games-closing-ceremony-music


Rio 2016: Queen Hails 'Magnificent' Paralympians on Homecoming
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-37415310


Rio 2016: Paralympics Come to an End with Festive Closing Ceremony
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-19/rio-paralympics-come-to-an-end-with-festive-closing-ceremony/7857580


Paralympians Back in UK as Date Set for Double Celebration
http://news.sky.com/story/date-set-for-two-day-olympic-and-paralympic-celebration-10585457

Tatyana McFadden wins Fourth Gold medal and is honored for exemplary spirit!

Tatyana McFadden, age 27, a member of US Paralympic Team, won her fourth Gold medal yesterday during the womens 800m T54 competition. This was her sixth event during the Rio Games. Today, McFadden will participate in the marathon along Copacabana Beach.

Two days beforehand, McFadden and Ibrahim Al Hussein of the Refugee Team were honored by IPC as models of the "spirit and values of the Paralympic Games at Rio 2016." Each will receive a special gold medal during the closing ceremony.

McFadden was born in Russia with spina bifida; she was paralyzed from the waist down and left int an orphanage under the care of the State. She learned to walk on her hands when a wheelchair was not available.

At age six years, she was adopted and moved to the USA. In high school, McFadden was named as a principal in a lawsuit asserting rights of students with disabilities to have equal access to sport. The result...McFadden was the first athlete to win the marathon grand slam and repeated this achievement three times. In Lyon, France, she won all events in which she competed during the 2013 world championships.

Source: abcnews.go.com

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