50 years of Winter Games: Throwback to Beijing 2022, PyeongChang 2018 and Sochi 2014
Ahead of the 50th anniversary of the Paralympic Winter Games, take a trip down memory lane 17 Feb 2026
This year marks 50 years since the inaugural Paralympic Winter Games were held in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden. Each of the 13 editions has been special in its own way, filled with extraordinary athletic performances and unforgettable moments.
With less than a month to go until the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympics, now is the perfect time to look back at the remarkable growth of the Paralympic Winter Games over the past five decades.
Are you ready to take a trip down memory lane?
Beijing 2022
Beijing 2022 “marked a new dawn for the Paralympic Winter Games,” according to International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons. The Games set a new benchmark for all future editions.
Packed with athletic milestones and historic firsts, Beijing 2022 showcased an exciting new generation of athletes delivering exceptional performances. Despite being staged during the COVID 19 pandemic, the Paralympic Winter Games were held safely and successfully.
Hosts China fielded their largest-ever delegation with 96 athletes and won an impressive 29 medals, including 11 golds. A total of 46 National Paralympic Committees took part, with Azerbaijan, Israel and Puerto Rico making their Paralympic Winter Games debut.
PyeongChang 2018
The PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games welcomed a record 564 athletes from 49 delegations who competed in 80 medal events across six sports. Nearly 343,000 tickets were sold, surpassing the previous record of 316,200 set in Sochi 2014 and demonstrating the rising global interest in Paralympic winter sport.
Athletes delivered outstanding performances, setting multiple new records. Twenty six delegations claimed at least one medal—breaking the record set at Lillehammer 1994. Four countries—China, Croatia, Kazakhstan and hosts South Korea—won their first-ever Winter Games gold medals.
Slovakia’s Henrieta Farkasova, guided by Natalia Subrtova, earned four golds and one silver medal in Para alpine skiing. France’s Marie Bochet also claimed four golds in the same sport.
The official PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic mascot, “Bandabi,” an Asiatic black bear, was a fan favourite. It symbolised strong will and courage—traits deeply rooted in Korean mythology and culture.
Sochi 2014
Sochi 2014 delivered many memorable highlights, bringing together 541 Para athletes from 45 nations. Brazil, Turkiye and Uzbekistan made their Paralympic Winter Games debut.
Para snowboard made its first appearance on the Winter Games programme as a discipline within Para alpine skiing. Bibian Mentel-Spee, who had long championed the sport’s inclusion, won the women’s event, while the USA’s Evan Strong topped the men’s podium.
Germany’s Anna Schaffelhuber, just 21 years old, claimed gold in all five of her events in the women’s sit ski class, matching Lauren Woolstencroft’s record for the most golds won by a female athlete at a single Winter Games.
Canada continued its dominance in wheelchair curling, securing a third consecutive Paralympic title.
Secure your tickets for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games
Milano Cortina 2026, which takes place from 6-15 March 2026, is set to be the most beautiful Paralympic Winter Games yet. Ticket prices start at EUR 10 for children under 14, with approximately 89 per cent of the tickets available for EUR 35 or less. Specially-priced Early Bird tickets are available until 6 May 2025.
For more information, please visit tickets.milanocortina2026.org
