NEWS FROM THE SOCHI 2014 PARALYMPIC WINTER GAMES

Sochi 2014: Paralympic winter sport’s young talent
Sweden’s Per Kasperi, USA’s Declan Farmer, France’s Marie Bochet and Russia’s Alexey Bugaev are rising stars in the lead-up to Sochi 2014.

Sochi 2014: Scandinavians shine in wheelchair curling
Sweden, Finland and Norway have all built up foundations for strong wheelchair curling programmes in the lead-up to Sochi 2014.
IPC President challenges Sochi to follow Vancouver not emulate London
To mark one year to go until the next Paralympic Winter Games, IPC President Sir Philip Craven has challenged Sochi 2014 not to try and emulate what happened in London six months ago, but to build on the success of the 2010 Winter Games.

Sochi 2014: Who will fill Schoenfelder’s shoes?
Following Gerd Schoenfelder’s retirement, there’s a void for the top standing alpine skier in the lead-up to the Sochi 2014 Games.
Sochi 2014: A look at the venues
Here’s a brief look at how the venues in Sochi are shaping up for the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games.
Sochi 2014: Russian nordic skiers expected to dominate
After winning 56 medals at the IPC Nordic Skiing World Championships, Russia are hoping to fulfill their golden dream at the Paralympics.

Sochi 2014: Snowboarders get ready for Paralympic stage
USA’s Evan Strong, Mike Shea and Amy Purdy, along with New Zealand’s Carl Murphy and the Netherlands’ Biban Mentel, are ready to become household snowboard names.
Sochi 2014: How to ski at 100km per hour without sight
For Spain’s Jon Santacana and Great Britain’s Jade Etherington skiing 100km per hour visually impaired can be nerve-wracking to say the least.

Sochi 2014: Brazil hoping for Winter Games debut
Fernando Aranha and Andre Cintra are aiming to lead Brazil to the Paralympic Winter Games for the first time ever.
Sochi 2014: Games could shift Russian perceptions
Russian athletes’ performances, together with programmes implemented by the Sochi 2014 Organising Committee, have the chance to change Russian society.

Sochi 2014: Slovakia surging in winter sport
In addition to several talented alpine skiers heading to Sochi, Slovakia are hoping to be represented in a team sport at the Paralympic Winter Games for the first time.

Mentel and Strong win Snowboard Cross Test Event
The Netherlands' Bibian Mentel and USA's Evan Strong were victorious at the IPCAS Snowboard Cross Test Event in Sochi, Russia.