Beijing Winter Paralympics 2022

The Winter Paralympics will start on March 4th to 13th March 2022, in Beijing as the sporting event returns. It was decided back in 2015 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia that the city will host the games. There will be very limited fans attending the events due to the pandemic but has all the marks to be a sensational event. Hence, the Paralympics is here as athletes prepare themselves to put their skills to the test.

Winter Paralympics History

Ever since the Summer Paralympics began, Winter Paralympics showcases athletes with liabilities and provides a platform for them to achieve their dreams. They are held after the Winter Olympics as the event happens once in four years. The first Winter Paralympics started back in 1976 in Sweden, marked a very momentous occasion for the athletes. These games have grown to another level with athletes from different parts of the world arriving to compete at the mega-event. It is a great initiative by the Olympic Committee. There are six disability categories established by IPC so as to avoid any cheating in the Games. Germany leads the way for the most medals won at the Winter Paralympics.

Beijing Winter Paralympics 2022 Schedule

Six sporting disciplines happen at the Beijing Winter Olympics. Para Ice Hockey, Wheelchair Curling, Para Alpine Skiing, Para Cross-Country Skiing, Para Biathlon, and Para Snowboarding. The competitions start after the opening ceremony in Beijing.

• 5 March: Para Alpine Skiing Downhill M/W (10:00-13:10), Para Biathlon Women's and Men's 6km (Sitting 10:00-11:15, Standing 12:00-13:15, Vision impaired 14:00-15:15)
• 6 March: Para Alpine Skiing Super G M/W (10:00-14:30), Para Cross-Country Skiing Men's 18km (Sitting 10:00-11:35) and Women's 12km (Sitting 12:30-14:00)
• 7 March: Para Cross-Country Skiing Men's 20km Classic (Standing/Vision Impaired 10:00-12:00) and Women's 15km Classic (Standing/Vision Impaired 12:30-15:00), Para Snowboard Cross M/W (Finals 11:30-14:30).
• 8 March: Para Alpine Skiing Super Combined M/W (Super G 10:00-12:30, Slalom 13:30-14:30), Para Biathlon Women's and Men's 10km (Sitting 10:00-11:15, Standing 12:00-13:15, Vision Impaired 14:00-15:15)
• 9 March: Para Cross-Country Skiing Sprint Free M/W (Semi-final and Final 12:00-15:00)
• 10 March: Para Alpine Skiing Giant Slalom M (9:30-11:30, 13:00-15:00)
• 11 March: Para Alpine Skiing Giant Slalom W (9:30-11:00, 13:00-15:00), Para Biathlon Women's and Men's 12.5km (Sitting 10:00-11:30, Standing 12:30-14:00, Vision Impaired 14:30-16:00)
• 12 March: Wheelchair Curling Gold medal final (14:35-17:30), Para Alpine Skiing Slalom M (9:30-11:00, 12:30-14:00), Para Cross-Country Skiing Men's 10km Free Vision/Impaired/Standing (10:00-11:15) and Women's 10km Freer Vision/Impaired/Standing (12:00-13:30), Para Snowboard Banked Slalom M/W Finals (12:00-15:00)
• 13 March: Para Ice Hockey Gold medal final (13:00-15:30), Para Alpine Skiing Slalom W (9:30-10:30, 12:30-14:00), Para Cross-Country Skiing Mixed Relay 4x2.5km (10:00-11:30), Open Relay 4x2.5km (12:00-13:30)

Beijing Winter Paralympics 2022 Logo and Mascot

As Bing Dwen Dwen was the official mascot for the Beijing Winter Olympics, the Paralympics has its own mascot. Shuey Rhon Rhon is the official mascot for the Beijing Winter Paralympics 2022. The mascot is a Chinese lantern child with a shining heart to match as it symbolizes the warmth, friendship, courage, and perseverance of Paralympic athletes. As the Chinese New Year celebrations are going on, the color red is the major theme. The Chinese lantern is a cultural symbolization of celebration, harvest, and prosperity.

Opening Ceremony

The famous opening ceremony is scheduled for March 4th, 2022 as the Beijing National Stadium will host the ceremony. We expect the games to be officially opened by Xi Jinping, the president of China. Further details of the opening ceremony are unknown.

Participating countries

The competitions include 737 Paralympians who will take part in 78 medal events in Beijing. There are 39 medal events for me, 35 medal events for women, and four mixed events. Some of the top athletes in the world will compete with each other to bring glory to their country. The US contingent includes famous athletes like Kendall Gretsch from Biathlon, Carina Edlinger and Oksana Masters from cross-country skiing, Declan Farmer from the ice hockey team taking part in the Games.

Where to watch the Paralympics 2022

Just like the coverage of the Winter Olympics, NBC will broadcast the Beijing Winter Paralympics 2022 in the United States of America. Channel 4 gets broadcasting rights in the UK while TVNZ will show the sporting events in New Zealand.

Team USA

The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee is sending a 67 member team to Beijing, to represent their country. There will be two guides for two visually impaired athletes as they take the stage for the grand sporting competition. Oksana Masters and Aaron Pike are appearing in their sixth Paralympics, hoping to win a medal in this year's Games. Laurie Stephens is the most decorated Winter Paralympian with seven Paralympic medals. There are 52 male athletes and 15 female athletes.