(ATR) The next Winter Paralympics in South Korea are now just one year away.
The 12th edition of the Winter Paralympics in PyeongChang will feature 670 athletes from 45 countries competing in six sports: alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing, ice sledge hockey, snowboard and wheelchair curling.
PyeongChang 2018 marks the first time snowboarding will be a separate sport with 10 medal events opposed to the two it had at Sochi 2014 when the sport was combined with alpine skiing.
International Paralympic Committee president Philip Craven says he is eager to see snowboard continue to develop and grow within the Paralympic Movement.
"I think snowboard has developed rapidly in the last four years," Craven said in a statement. "Changes to the classification system in 2015, establishing three classes, have made the sport fairer and given greater impetus for all athletes.
"The introduction of banked slalom and changing snowboard cross to a head-to-head format has added more excitement to the sport for athletes and spectators alike," he added. "I am sure snowboard, like it was at Sochi, will be a big hit with spectators in PyeongChang."
Para snowboard athletes have the opportunity to test the PyeongChang 2018 venue this week as they compete in the Jeongseon 2017 World Para Snowboard World Cup Finals that begin March 10. The event is one of four Paralympic test events taking place in South Korea this week to mark the one year milestone.
Craven says these events allow South Koreans to begin to get involved and interested in Paralympic sport.
"The PyeongChang 2018 Test Events not only give Para athletes and organizers an opportunity to sample what they can expect next year when the Games take place, but they are a fantastic platform for the Organizing Committee to engage the Korean public," Craven said.
"You only have to look at social media to see how excited many athletes are to be competing in South Korea for the first time to realize that something special will take place at PyeongChang 2018."
The IPC is seeking to break a record with the number of participants at next year’s Winter Paralympics that run from March 9-18.
Written by Kevin Nutley
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