GEILO 1980 PARALYMPIC WINTER GAMES

The success of the first Paralympic Winter Games led to a second, in which 299 Para athletes (229 men and 70 women) from 18 countries took part. 

Ice speed skating featured for the first time bringing the total number of medals events to 63 across three sports. Hosts Norway topped the medals table.

SPORTS

Ice sledge racing was introduced as a new sport, putting three events on the programme in Geilo. Women competed in distances of 100m, 500m and 800m, while men competed in distances of 100m, 500m and 1,500m. On top of that, a demonstration event in sledge downhill racing was held at the Games.

 

 

The other three sports contested were Para alpine skiing, Para cross-country skiing and Wheelchair curling.

OPENING CEREMONY

The Norwegian Sports Organisation for the Disabled, today’s National Paralympic Committee in Norway, held a large, colourful ceremony.

MEDALS

 

Host nation Norway finished atop the medal standings with an astounding 23 golds, while Finland finished in second with 15. Austria, Sweden and Switzerland rounded out the top five in the medal standings.

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES

Sledge racer Mjassund Oejen of Great Britain won all three competitions in her classification, and was the star of the Games.