PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS
No. 14: Russia struggle through tragic loss to win
Despite their coach passing away during the tournament, the Russian Wheelchair Curling team went on to win the 2012 World Championships, making it the No. 14 moment of the year.
Marieke Vervoort wins Belgian Paralympic Athlete of Year Award
Belgian track athlete Marieke Vervoort picked up her country's most prestigious sports award after winning gold and silver in London's Olympic Stadium
Cody receives Sport Leadership Award
IPC Governing Board Member Ann Cody received the Georg M Steinbrenner III Sport Leadership Award from the United States Olympic Foundation for her contributions to the Paralympic Movement.
Russia solidifies lead in biathlon at world cup
Russian athletes topped the rankings in four out of six categories to solidify their overall lead in the 2012-13 IPC Nordic Skiing World Cup.
No. 15: Hawking calls for new age of enlightenment
The London 2012 Opening Ceremony set the tone for the Paralympics, in which audiences experienced and appreciated Paralympic sport for the first time.
USA dominate first Alpine Skiing NorAm Cup
The home team dominated the first event of the 2012-13 IPC Alpine Skiing NorAm Cup in Colorado, USA, with strong performances also from New Zealand’s Adam Hall and Canada’s Viviane Forest.
BBC Sports Personality: Martine Wright wins Helen Rollason Award
After losing her legs in the 7/7 bombings in 2005, Martine Wright got into sitting volleyball and was part of the British sitting volleyball team at the London 2012 Paralympics.
No. 16: Israeli war veteran turned national hero
Noam Gershony survived an Israeli army helicopter crash just six years ago, and in 2012, he won Paralympic gold in wheelchair tennis.
No. 17: Emotions run high as Ellie excels
When Ellie Simmonds turned in the last 50m of the 400m freestyle S6 she was just eight hundredths of a second ahead of USA’s Victoria Arlen. But she pushed on to the end to win gold and set a new world record.
No. 18: Namibia takes home first ever gold
Johanna Benson made history on 5 September when she became the first Namibian to win gold at either the Olympic or Paralympic Games. Now, the little-known Paralympian has been nominated for the Laureus Award.