TORINO 2006 PARALYMPICS WINTER GAMES March 10-19

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Auf Wiedersehen Torino

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ALL THE WINNERS ~~ Select by event, date, nation, or ALL


http://www.paralympicgames.torino2006.org/ENG/ParalympicGames/sport_ed_atleti/tutti_i_vincitori.html

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Tiziana Nasi: thanks to everyone but the work must continue



Tiziana Nasi © La Presse

Mar 21 2006

Interview to the President of Com.Par.To., between recaps and plans for the future


Tiziana Nasi is about to leave for Rome, where together with the medalled Italian athletes, Olympic and Paralympic, will be received by the President of the Republic Carlo Azeglio Ciampi.


For the entire audience attending the Closing Ceremony of the IX Paralympic Winter Games, it will be in any case difficult to erase the image of the President of Com.Pat.To. reading the farewell speech, overcome by emotion, interrupted by the applause of the crowd, after receiving the medal of the Paralympic Order by the IPC President Phil Craven.


How did you feel on the stage in that moment?

I was really touched and I would have liked to share this recognition with all those who worked for the success of the Games and above all with the athletes who were unable to get on the podium.
Let’s try to recap on these Paralympic Winter Games... the overall impression cannot but be positive...
I absolutely agree, I think not only have the facts proved this, but also the comments of all those people who we have met in the last few days. I have only heard from truly enthusiastic people, who mentioned how everything had been well organised, from the competition venues to the ski runs and this has made me really pleased, because I have sort of been looking after the ski runs of Sestriere since 1982; so, hearing especially two American athletes say that they have found the best slopes they have ever competed on here, cannot but make me happy. Surely there have also been some small things that did not go 100% as planned, but it was more to do with internal issues, which luckily did not cause any inconvenience to the athletes and foreign delegations.


What’s the nicest thing you’ve heard people say to you these days?

Perhaps that this was the Paralympic Winter edition in which the warmest and friendliest atmosphere was felt and also where the audience participated with competence. This is despite the fact that, especially in some time slots, the spectators were mostly school students, who then proved to be well prepared and they actually were. The Toroc and Com.Par.To. functions in charge of the Education programme did an excellent job in promoting the event on the territory and they were also helped by the fact that the Paralympic athletes went to make speeches in the schools.


Did you hear anything you didn’t like?

Surely small little criticism, not so much from the athletes, delegations and journalists, but perhaps from the volunteers, who complained about some problems with the transports (they had to leave very early from Torino in order to get to Sestriere) and the fact that not everyone was given the Paralympic uniform. Unfortunately, we did some things at the last minute, let’s hope to have some more uniforms to the volunteers who didn’t get one.


What’s the most important legacy that these Games will leave with us?

I think that, now that everything has gone well and we received a huge success of participation in terms of delegations and the audience, the best proof that these Paralympics will truly leave some legacy behind will be in getting new people with a disability involved in the world of sport: this will be the best possible success.


So how will your work continue as the President of Piemonte’s IPC Regional Committee?

I really hope there will be more results to follow, I think this is possible. In any case, we are already planning several events, although it’s clear that we cannot just deal with big events, but also promotional and basic sports: this will be my major commitment for the upcoming months. However, I would like to note that on April 8-9, the Table Tennis Italian Championships will be held in Ciriè, while in May we will have a trial run of the Wheelchair Fencing World Cup, in preparation for the World Championships that will be held in Torino in September and that will follow the ones disputed by able-bodied athletes. In addition, we are already cherishing the hope of being able to organise the Ice Sledge Hockey World Championships in 2008 and in view of 2009, the mayor of Pragelato has proposed a “revival” of the Paralympic Winter Games, to be held within the same competition venues as the ones held in the last few days, expect for hockey, to be moved to Torre Pellice.

Silvia Bruno

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Dream-like Paralympics: Thank You Torino »




closing ceremony of the Turin 2006 Winter Paralympic Games


Mar 20 2006

The end of the Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games was a grand finale, a hymn to life. For then days, they offered examples of courage, integrity and hope that touched the heart of the entire world. And now that its champions with a disability are heading home, they leave behind the tepid and crisp breeze of the spring.


A fairy-tale on the spring, music, songs, dances. But also the parade of the athletes accompanied by the Torino 2006 volunteers and the hand-over from the mayor of Torino Sergio Chiamparino to the mayor of Vancouver, Sam Sullivan, of the Paralympic flag. Then, the 9 metre tall “sculpture of a little girl” and the extinguishing of the Cauldron.

This is the goodbye given by Torino to the Paralympic Games from 19:00 until approximately 23:00. The baton is handed over to Vancouver 2010.

At the end of the Ceremony, a great show of fireworks and the emotion felt especially by the inhabitants of Torino who, as from the last February 11, the opening day of the Olympic Winter Games, had experienced the excitement of knowing that their city was at the centre of the world, and not just the sports world.




"Nothing will be like it was before – underlined the President of the Italian Paralympic Committee, Luca Pancalli - because sport does not make any differences. Torino leaves us with an exciting legacy, which we will tackle with a newfound enthusiasm. And, through the difficult times, it will be enough to remember any moment of this thrilling adventure in order to carry on". And there goes the spring that made us “feel the sun on our face” as said in a song by Madonna sung by a nine-year-old girl, and which lit up the historical buildings with flashes of light.


The most touching moment was brought by the words of Tiziana Nasi, President of COM.PAR.TO and Phil Craven, President of IPC who thanked all those who made this great Olympic edition possible. Lights were shimmering on the buildings and on the city, a show of sounds and lights on the buildings of the centre of Torino, with the audience blowing on the Paralympic Cauldron and the Flame being extinguished, leading to a magical concert by Patti Smith.

Redazioneweb

http://www.paralympicgames.torino2006.org/ENG/ParalympicGames/news/news_ita117196.html

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Misc. MEN'S SKIING, March 19

Kirill Mikhaylov of Russia, center, winner of the Men's Cross Country Ski 20k standing race,
shows his gold medal flanked by Alfis Makemedinov of Russia, who took the silver,
and Steven Cook of the United States, bronze


Canada's Brian McKeever, left, and guide Robin McKeever
celebrate on the podium after clinching the silver medal
in the Men's Cross Country Ski 20k Visual Impaired race


Tatsuko Aoki of Japan skis on his way to win the bronze medal
in the Men's slalom sitting skiing race


France's Nicolas Berejny , left, and guide Sophie Troc ski to the gold medal
in the Men's slalom Visually Impaired skiing race.


Germany's Gerd Gradwohl, left, and guide Karl Einz Vachenauer ski to the bronze medal
in the Men's slalom Visual Impaired skiing race

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Misc. WOMEN'S SKIING, March 19

Katarzyna Rogowiec of Poland, center, celebrates her gold medal
in the Women's Cross Country Ski 15k standing race,
by Anna Burmistrova of Russia, left, who took the silver,
and Yuliya Batenkova of Ukraine, bronze


Daila Dameno of Italy skies on her way to win the silver medal
in the Women's slalom sitting skiing race


Silvia Parente of Italy, left, follows guide Lorenzo Migliari on her way to clinching the bronze medal
in the Women's slalom, Visually Impaired


Austria's Sabine Gasteiger, left, follows guide Emil Gasteiger on her way to clinching
the silver medal in the Women's slalom, Visually Impaired


France's Benedicte Sainas, left, follows guide Pascal Casanova on her way
to clinching the gold medal in the Women's slalom, Visually Impaired


Lioubov Vasilieva of Russia, left, and her guide Viatcheslav Goldinov
celebrate on the podium after clinching the gold medal
in the Women's Cross Country Ski 15k, Visual Impaired race

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WOMEN'S SLALOM SITTING SKIING, March 19

Stephani Victor of the United States, center,
winner of the Women's slalom sitting skiing race, shows her gold medal
flanked by Italy's Daila Dameno, left, who took the silver,
and Aoki Tatsuko of Japan, bronze


Stephani Victor of the United States skis on her way to win the gold medal
in the Women's slalom sitting skiing race

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MEN'S SLALOM SITTING SKIING, March 19

Martin Braxenthaler of Germany, center, winner of the Men's slalom sitting skiing race,
celebrates on the podium with Harald Eder of Austria, left,
who took the silver, and Juergen Egle of Austria, bronze


Germany's Martin Braxenthaler skis on his way to clinching the gold medal
in the Men's slalom sitting skiing race

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Vauchok and Kostiuk Dominate the Long Distance, Fourth Place for Masiello



Mar 18 2006

Enzo Masiello put his heart, head and lungs into the event, but couldn’t do anything against the power of the East. His dream of a medal in the 15km at Pragelato Plan lasted for nearly the whole event: forty-three minutes of suffering mixed with hope finished when Russian Sergej Shilov, third at the finish line, took the last place on the podium.

The Italian’s performance was a courageous one. Right from the start his constant rhythm had kept him in second place until the last circuit of the track, when the first signs of caving in appeared. Anyway, fourth place made the athlete from Matera very proud, who was satisfied with his performance at this international level: “I am really happy with what I have done today. My aim was to give my best and I am sure that I did”. This is how the bitterness of a missed medal was sweetened by Enzo, who had predicted his place from the start: “I knew that I would have finished at the foot of the podium,.

The bronze medal is and will stay a dream. But my staff and I know that this fourth place is worth as much as a victory”. Winner of the day was Ukrainian Iurii Kostiuk. He was finally able to beat the unstoppable winner of this Paralympic edition, Russian Tarsa Kryjanovski, who has already won a gold medal in both the cross country 5km and 10 km sitting. “I knew that I could aim for a medal in this last event – explained the Ukrainian – I had put all my hopes on the 15km because I prefer this speciality, but it was not easy for me to completely believe in winning it. Now I will enjoy my success”.

There was disappointment in the ladies’ event due to the withdrawal of Paralympic champion Francesca Porcellato, who was not in good condition: “Already at the end of the first circuit I felt that it wasn’t my day. But what influenced my performance the most was the lack of time necessary to compete at world level – explained the Italian”. In fact Porcellato discovered cross country skiing in 2004 and only the following year did she begin to train on the snow and participate in the qualifications for the Paralympic Winter Games.

In the fight for the medals there was a surprise victory for ByeloRussian Liudmila Vauchok, who finished 56 seconds in front of Ukrainian Olena Iurkovska. The Ukrainian has already won a good four gold medals in Pragelato and today was the star of an extraordinary come back in the last circuit which saw her beat Canadian Colette Bourgonje, who finished third. The favourite Ukrainian Lyudmila Pavlenko, who had been in better condition during the season, did not manage to get onto the podium. The Nordic skiing events finish on Sunday March 19 with the 20km and 15km standing and visually impaired categories.

Valentina Roberto

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Medal Winners MEN'S SKIING, Mar 18

Robert Muesburger of Austria races to the gold medal, during the Men's slalom standing at the Turin 2006 Winter Paralympic Games, in Sestriere, Italy, Saturday, March 18, 2006


Iurii Kostuk of Ukraine celebrates on the podium after clinching the gold medal
in the Men's cross-country 15k sitting event



Robert Meusburger of Austria, center, shows his gold medal
of the Men's slalom standing, flanked by Thomas Pfyl of Switzerland, left, who took the silver and Gerd Schoenfelder of Germany, bronze

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Medal Winners WOMEN'S SKIING, Mar 18

Liudmila Vauchok of Bulgaria celebrates on the podium after clinching the gold medal in the Women's cross-country 10k sitting event, at the Turin 2006 Winter Paralympics Games, in Pragelato, Italy, Saturday, March 18, 2006. (AP Photo/Giovanni auletta)
.

Colette Bourgonje of Canada celebrates as she stands on the podium after clinching the bronze medal in the Women's cross-country 10k sitting event


Liudmila Vauchok of Bulgaria celebrates after winning
the Women's cross-country 10k sitting event


Colette Bourgonje of Canada celebrates after clinching the bronze medal
in the Women's cross-country 10k sitting event


Olena Iurkovska of the Ukraine on the winner's podium celebrates winning
the gold medal in the Women's 10km Sitting Biathlon event


Allison Jones of the United States celebrates after clinching
the gold medal in the Women's slalom standing

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WHEELCHAIR CURLING, Mar 18

From left, Canada's Karen Blachford, Sonja Gaudet, Gary Cormack, Gerry Austgarden, and Chris Daw celebrate after beating Great Britain 7-4 to clinch the gold medal of the Wheelchair Curling, at the Turin 2006 Winter Paralympic Games, in Pinerolo, Italy, Saturday, March 18, 2006.\(AP Photo/Alberto Ramella)


Chris Daw of Canada bites the gold medal after his side beat Great Britain 7-4 to win the Wheelchair Curling competition

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Medal Winners ICE SLEDGE HOCKEY, Mar 18

Canada's Todd Nicholson, right, celebrates with teammate Raymond Grassi after winning the gold medal at the end of the Ice Sledge Hockey match for first and second place between Canada and Norway, at the Turin 2006 Winter Paralympic games, in Turin, northern Italy, Saturday, March 18, 2006. (AP Photo/Alberto Ramella)


U.S. players celebrate after winning the bronze medal at the end of the Ice Sledge Hockey match for third and fourth place between Germany and U.S.


Germany's Udo Segreff, left, and U.S. Bradley Emerson in action during the Ice Sledge Hockey match for third and fourth place between Germany and U.S

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Paralympic Mountains Celebrate

Mar 17 2006


On Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 March the last competitions of the IX Paralympic Winter Games will take place.

The events will be accompanied by events free and open to the public organised by the Comune di Sestriere, to transform once again the Paralympic Winter Games in a fantastic celebration. On Saturday, March 18, the Sbandieratori del Comitato Palio Montechiaro d’Asti will perform first in Borgata, between the first and second heats, and then will animate the streets of Sestriere starting from 16.00. In the afternoon children can meet clowns and artists in the central Piazza Fraiteve.

From 14.00 to 18.00, both Saturday and Sunday, “focaccine Faizen” filled with “filetto Baciato” will be offered by Proloco di Battagliosi, Provincia di Alessandria. In Sestriere also during the weekend it will be possible to see free of charge the exhibition of Russian icons “l’altezza della fede”(the height of faith) at the ATL in Via Louset and the photographic exhibition “Immaginiinvalle” on show at the Palazzo Comunale in Sestriere.

March, Saturday 18
Pragelato Plan Cross-Country Skiing M 15 km F 10 km (Sitting)
09:00 - 14:00

Sestriere Borgata Alpine Skiing Slalom M and F (Standing)
10:00 - 15:00


March, Sunday 19
Pragelato Plan Cross-Country Skiing M 20 km F 15 km (Standing and visually impaired)
10:00 - 14:00

Sestriere Borgata Alpine Skiing Slalom M and F (Sitting and Visually Impaired)
10:00 - 15:00

In order to watch the events it is possible to buy the tickets directly at the Box Office of the Competition Venues or through the usual sales channels (www.torino2006.org/tickets, in all the Sanpaolo bank branches, in all TicketOne points of sale or calling 848.88.2006).

Redazioneweb

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Cross-Country Skiing - 17 March

Tatiana Ilyuchenko (R) of Russia is led by her guide Valeriy Koshkin
while competing in the Women's Cross Country Relay


Competitors in action while competing in the Men's Cross Country Relay

Rustam Garifoullin of Russia crosses the finish line to help his country win
the Silver Medal in the Men's Cross Country Relay


Karl Einar Henriksen of Norway competes in the Men's Cross Country Relay

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MEN'S ALPINE SKIING - March 17

Martin Braxenthaler of Germany competes on his way to winning
the Gold Medal in the Men's Giant Slalom - Sitting


Gianmaria Dal Maistro of Italy is led by his guide Tommaso Balasso
as they compete on their way to winning the Silver Medal


Eric Villalon of Spain competes on his way to winning the Bronze Medal
in the Men's Giant Slalom - Visually Impaired

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WOMEN'S ALPINE SKIING - March 17

Kuniko Obinata of Japan competes on her way to winning
the Gold Medal in the Women's Giant Slalom


Pascale Casanova of France is led by her guide Benedicte Sainas on their way
to winning the Silver Medal in the Women's Giant Slalom - Visually Impaired


Laurie Stephens of the United States of America competes on her way
to winning the Silver Medal in the Women's Giant Slalom


Pascale Casanova of France is led by her guide Benedicte Sainas on their way
to winning the Silver Medal in the Women's Giant Slalom - Visually Impaired


Daila Dameno of Italy competes on her way to winning
the Bronze Medal in the Women's Giant Slalom - Sitting

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Standing Giant Slalom, Mar 16: A Record Schoenfelder, Ladies’ Gold to Woolstencroft


Germany's Gerd Schoenfelder


Mar 16 2006


Sixteen medal, of which sixteen gold, three silver and one bronze in five edizions of the Winter Paralympic Games: these are the figures which describe the athlete-phenomenon of Alpine Paralympic Skiing, Gerd Schoenfelder. The German, with the gold medal from today’s Giant Slalom held in Borgata, is laid out to come first in the special chart of athletes with most medals in the history of the Winter Paralympics: “I don’t think I’m going to break any records “ Gerd had said on the occasion of his first gold medal won in the Sestriere Downhill “but I think I will get some satisfaction”. And that’s what happened. He ran an impeccable first heat, with a 2” advantage over the American Timothy Fox, who then fell to eighth position at the end of the competition, followed by a second aggressive heat, in which the German even bounced off track at one point.

A moment’s silence on the stands, then a boom of screaming came as Gerd reappeared on line, so one line that he triumphed in the most technical discipline of Alpine Skiing which got him in the Paralympic hall of fame. Behind him there was a bitter fight for the podium: thanks to two impeccable heats the Japanese Masahiko Tokai rose from third to second place expressing his satisfaction for an impeccable second run “I knew it would be tough, so I skied aggressively, attacking whenever I could”. On the lowest step we find Thomas Pfyl, author of an extraordinary remount to fifth position to the detriment of Austrian Robert Meusburger, fourth.
The Italians were not up to much in this Giant: best and only results was the 41st place of Ugo Bregant, not completely satisfied about his performance “The track was really technical, I did what I could and hope that the next Paralympics go better”. In the first heat Florian Planker was eliminated right away, the same for the second heat of the other Italian Christian Lanthaler.

The ladies’ race, missing the Italian Melania Corradini because of a contusion to her right knee in a fall during the Super-G, saw an absolute protagonist: Canadian Lauren Woolstencroft who had already won silver in the Super-G and won a difficult and technical Giant today, showing that the athlete possesses truly polyvalent qualities: “After the bitterness of the Downhill and the happiness for the silver in the Super-G, this gold has now given me the greatest satisfaction of my life”. After her came the very young German Andrea Rothfuss, class of 1989, first career medal, beating another youngster, French Solene Jambaque, at her third Paralympic medal “I am satisfied with this result: I was calm, but at the same time I found the right energy to do well and realize the lines I had imagined in recognition”.


Valentina Roberto

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Ice Sledge Hockey Final also Broadcast in Piazza San Carlo

Mar 16 2006
Torino Esposizioni Fully Booked

All seats have been taken for the final of Ice Sledge Hockey on Saturday March 18th which will be held at 20.30 in Torino Esposizioni. Great success for a Paralympic sport among the most watched by people from Torino and tourists flocking to the city for the occasion.

For this reason the COMPARTO board of councillors, the Organizing Committee of the Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games, to make all those fans who have not the fortune of a seat for the final happy, has decided to project the competition which will assign the gold medal on a mega screen in Piazza San Carlo.

The first matches held last week-end were completely sold out. There has been very warm support from the stands where the Paralympic hockey champions are competing, thanks to the involvement of thousands of school children who have contributed with their warmth and participation to creating an Olympic atmosphere.



http://www.paralympicgames.torino2006.org/ENG/ParalympicGames/news/news_ita117171.html

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Paralympics: From Japan to Africa, a Record Audience

Mar 16 2006


In Japan the Opening Ceremony was watched by 2.4% of the TV audience, a little less than the football match broadcast on the same day. On March 11th, in Sweden, 240,000 watched the first competitions on television. And every day, in the neighbouring Norway, 350,000 people switch the TV on to watch the Torino games. It is an unprecedented success for the Winter Paralympics in terms of television audience.


TVs from all the world have give more coverage than to all the previous editions. For the first time in the history of Paralympic sport the image rights have been bought in all five continents, Africa included.

And next to television there are also new initiatives for the new media. This is the case of French TV, which offered simultaneous live coverage in ADSL, on Internet and on mobile telephones. In all, at the end of competitions, there will have been more than 140 hours broadcast from the Torino 2006 Winter Paralympics, including 130 hours live.

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Alpine Skiing - 16 March

Lauren Woolstencroft of Canada wins the . . Gerd Schoenfelder of Germany celebrates winning
Gold Medal in the Women's Giant Slalom . . . the Gold Medal in the Men's Giant Slalom
. . . . . . . .

Masahiko Tokai of Japan celebrates winning the Silver Medal in the Men's Giant Slalom


Dukat of the US skis during her women's giant slalom standing


Japan's Misawa skis during men's giant slalom standing

Czech Republic's Nevrkla skis during men's giant slalom standing

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Ice Sledge Hockey - 16 March

Norway celebrate after winning the Ice Sledge Hockey Semi-final match
between Norway and the USA


Taylor Chase of the USA tackles Tommy Rovelstad of Norway


Rolf Einar Pedersen of Norway slips past Kip St Germaine of the USA

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Ice Sledge Hockey: Sport as a Life’s Lesson

Torino EsposizioniMar 16 2006

In the memory of those present, 3,500 yesterday evening at Torino Esposizioni, the image of a magical evening will always leave its mark.

A venue brimming with real and genuine passion, a surge of enthusiasm, everyone standing and applauding the athletes from Japan and Italy. Some tears were shed not sporadically, due to the emotion and sensation of having witnessed, as throughout the entire Paralympic Winter Games, a moment of great humanity, on a day of real sport.

Japan-Italy ended 10:1, a final result that doesn’t allow any repeat performances. After a balanced first time, Japan got on its high horse and ruled the game. However, the audience was interested in something greater than the mere sporting result and Japan-Italy was, as it often happens in the competitions of these IX Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games, a hymn to sport, fair play and no holds barred among real athletes, a didactic and educational moment for the young and not-so-young, showing how sport is an extraordinary means of redemption and of individual and team success.

A competitive show of rare intensity. A real match. A gruelling match. A fierce competition. Heroes without legs. Fast on the ice, swift in their movements, harsh in physical confrontations, spectacular goals, actions that do not have anything less than other team sports. In the jam-packed stands, there were many children and lots of families.

Plenty of Italian flags were being waved about, along with choreographic and picturesque Nipponese banners. The athletes dragged the audience on to the rink by conveying a thrilling energy and a sense of belonging. At some time point during the third time, a Mexican wave started from the audience and no longer stopped. After the siren, there were lots of handshakes and standing ovations for both the winners and the losers. The embrace of Andrea Ciaz Chiarotti, Italian captain, with all the members of the superb Japanese team, was the highest moment of a sports evening to be remembered.


Luca Rolandi

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Misc. Skiing, March 145

Canada's Brian McKeever, left, and his guide Guide Robin McKeever celebrate on the podium after they won the gold medal of the Men's 10 km Visually Impaired Cross Country competition


Steven Cook of the USA celebrates on the podium after winning the gold medal at the Men's 10 km Standing Cross Country competition


France's Emilie Tabouret (R) and her guide Sophie Rey ski during their women's cross country visually impaired event


Switzerland's Bruno Huber skis during his men's cross country ski sitting


Italy's Enzo Masiello skis during his men's cross country ski sitting

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Cross-Country Skiing: Russia and United States Take a Leading Role

Mar 15 2006

On the fifth day of the Paralympic Winter Games, in the Nordic Skiing competitions, Francesca Porcellato and Enzo Maisiello, running away on their sledge, were a stone’s throw away from the bronze medal. In the end, the “Trevigiana” finished in ninth place in the 5 km event and Maisiello in sixth place.

Doctor Emernegildo Arnoldi, 52-year-old oncologist, was also competing: his 27th place is also worth a medal. The Americans and Russians monopolised the medals in the middle cross-country skiing distances and Russia now seems unmatchable in the overall medal table, with 10 golds, 9 silvers and 5 bronzes. In the 10 km for the blind and visually impaired, the Canadian Brian McKeever, who sometimes also competes in the World Cup for able-bodied athletes, was from a different planet.

Guided by his brother Robin, he inflicted a whopping gap, almost 1' and 19" away from the runner-up, the Byelorussian Shaptsiaboi, a gap which then went down to 46" following the calculations made with the indexes which lengthen the time of those running with minor handicaps. In the standing 10 km event, where the Italian Daniele Stefanoni finished in fifteenth place, the Paralympic title went to the American Steven Cook from Salt Lake City where, in 2002, at the Paralympic Winter Games, he finished in second place four times, three in individual competitions, the fourth in the relay.

In the other competitions of Pragelato, Eastern Europe dominated: three Russians finished on the highest spot of the podium, Taras Kryjanovski and Anna Burmistrova in the sitting 10 km and Lioubov Vasileva in the women’s visually impaired 10 km; finally, the Ukrainian Olena Iurkovska ruled in the sitting 5 km event. Tomorrow is the sixth day of the Paralympic Winter Games with the blind category giant slalom.

Luca Rolandi


http://www.paralympicgames.torino2006.org/ENG/ParalympicGames/news/news_ita117159.html

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Ice Sledge Hockey: Norway and Germany Win the Rounds, Now It’s Time for the Semi Finals

Mar 15 2006

Norway proved to be in consistence “heavier” than Canada: in physical consistency, in manoeuvres and attacks, and in plans and playing to the backboards in addition to shots. The result was 4:1 (2:0/2:1/0:0) for the world champions, beating the Canadian team last night in the last match of the preliminary round and finishing at the top of Round A. Tommy Rovelstad scored twice, there was a goal by the captain Rolf Einar Pedersen and Eskil Hagen; for the North Americans, the 1:3 was made by Herve Lord. The shots were 10 to 10 at the end of the second period, 15 to 12 for Canada at the end of the match: which goes to say that a great game was also played by the Canadians. They were dangerous enough to make Norwegian goaltender Roger Johansen make some very important saves.
Norway always made very dangerous shots, going to shoot with great efficiency and power; two of the four shots came after a very hard fight for the puck in the corner along the barrier and assist to the centre.

Again in Round A, third place went to Great Britain beating Italy 2:1 in an absolutely balanced match. The Italians, coached by Massimo Da Rin, scored the first goal of their still short history of official international matches: the goal by Gianluca Cavaliere, with assist from Andrea Chiarotti, was a great shot that skimmed the ice diagonally into the bottom corner after coming strongly from the left wing, escaping the opponents defence. The Brits scored the winning short-handed goal. Italy demonstrated that the game could have been theirs, and this was the most significant thing for the Da Rin team.

Round B is led by Germany by 5 points. It contained the last attack by Japan in the qualification for the semi finals (0:0). Second was the USA with a clear 6:1 over Sweden (two goals by veteran Christopher Manns). Sweden was the real great disappointment of the tournament.

Tomorrow the semi finals will see Norway-USA (at 11:00) and Germany-Canada (at 20:30). The Scandinavian/United States match will be harsh and intense seeing the current world champions playing the current Paralympic champions.

Renzo Gilodi

http://www.paralympicgames.torino2006.org/ENG/ParalympicGames/news/news_ita117155.html

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Voices from… Ukrainian Pragelato

Mar 15 2006

The Ex Soviet Republic Dominates in the Biathlon

The domination of the Ukraine in Nordic skiing continues. In Pragelato, the sitting category (7.5km) in the men’s event saw silver go to Kostiuk and bronze to Khuzhnyak, while in the ladies’ event Olena Iurkovska won, with her third gold medal in this edition of the Paralympic Winter Games, ahead of co-nationals Tryfonova and Pavlenko.


We spoke to the multi Paralympic champion, who by now is used to these victories (in Salt Lake City 2002 she brought home 1 silver and 3 bronze), and asked her some questions.

Are you so unbeatable? Did you expect these results?
No, I don’t think I am so unbeatable and I never thought I’d win all these gold medals, but I am very happy, above all because I care about my country’s flag.

How much do you need to train in order to reach this level?
Very much, I trained up to 4-6 hours a day for these Paralympics.

And now, for the next events, how do you feel?
I prefer not to answer because I am superstitious. Anyway, all the distances are the same for me, I don’t have any problems. Today the weather was very beautiful, there wasn’t any wind, and also for this reason I shot well and skied so fast.

The president of the Ukrainian Paralympic Committee, Valeriy Sushkevich, with a disability, was also very happy because he had just heard that in Kiev the Parliament is approving a law, which he promoted (he is a member), favouring employment for people with a disability. Together with Sushkevich we tried to understand what is behind all these podiums.

The Ukraine is at the top of the Paralympic medals: what is the secret of its success?
I could list very many reasons, but I believe that the main ones are three. First of all there is the extraordinary team that we have built and I’m not only talking about the athletes, but particularly the trainers, coaches, assistants. Take into account the fact that it all started only ten years ago when we went to “learn” at the Paralympics in Lillehammer and Nagano. Today we know how to be very competitive, thanks also to the hard training that we make our athletes do. On the beaches of the Black Sea we have an avant-garde centre for sport for people with a disability, which also our Olympic Committee has asked to use. The second reason is certainly the Ukraine state education system, which foresees easy access to sport for people with a disability, starting from school. We are the only country in the world to have a system like this. We wanted it and were able to build it only after the end of the Soviet Union, when finally society began not to exclude people with a disability. This is probably the third reason for our success: the desire of people with a disability to finally come out into the open, after many years in the dark. We really have been “reborn”.

Silvia Bruno

[BOREALIS]

Ten Thousand People Applauded De Gregori and the Paralympic Athletes



Mar 15 2006

Yesterday evening in Piazza Castello, Medals Plaza, Francesco De Gregori opened his concert with a song that emphasised the importance of athletes being courageous, selfless and full of fantasy in his song “La leva calcistica della classe ‘68”.

His was a non-stop two hour concert in which the artist went through some of the numerous successes of his career and proposed a preview of pieces from his latest work, “Calypso”. It was a really magical atmosphere. A climatic moment during the concert was the performance of “La donna cannone”: as soon as the audience had guessed what song was coming, there were real cries of joy that lifted the Piazza to then sing along with the singer-songwriter’s ever-popular song.


It was a real success with the audience: ten thousand people had decided to reach the heart of the pulsating city. They were not only attracted by the presence of the singer, loved by every generation, but also wanting to applaud the Italian wheelchair curling and ice sledge hockey teams: The teams were guests in Italy House, in the new and temporary headquarters of the Regione Piemontep. Among others, Andrea Chiarotti and Orazio Fagone took the stage and spoke.

The presence of IPC president Luca Pancalli was unexpected. “Dragged onto the stage” just before De Gregori started his performance, he wanted to thank everybody: athletes, volunteers and the audience. The audience really enthusiastically greeted the Paralympics.

They proved that it is possible to follow, love and be involved in professional athletic passion admiring sport for people with a disability at the same time.


Sara Capezzuoli

[BOREALIS]

New technology to overcome disability

Seminar: “Sport and communication for everyone”.

Mar 13 2006

The Segretariato Sociale RAI is organising a seminar, on March 14, 2006, at the Centro di Produzione RAI in Torino, Museo della Radio (situated in Via Verdi 14).

In particular, activities and technologies will be presented that allowed the ‘’Ufficio pilota ad alta tecnologia informatica per il superamento della disabilita’(High Information Technology Pilot Office to Overcome Disability)” to become a point of excellence for the students of the Universita’ degli studi di Torino.

In the project some internships were employed among which, six people with a disability and two able-bodied people that thanks to the pilot office’s high technology integration of tetraplegics, paraplegics and visually impaired people was favoured.

During this office’s year and a half of activity, many issues proposed by the Segretariato Sociale RAI were looked into thoroughly, and particularly together with the organising committee of the “XX Olympic Winter Games and of the IX Paralympic Winter Games of Torino 2006” saw the office engaged in gathering news and information for the editorial staff of the Paralympic Website.

The creation of this facility, unique in its kind, was designed in co-operation with CETAD (Centro Eccellenza Tecnologie per Anziani e Disabili – Technology Excellence Centre for the Aged and for People with a Disalbility – a company with investments by Finpiemonte, Provincia di Torino, Comune di Torino, and Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi Onlus) and with the Unione Italiana Ciechi, that guided us in the choice of the most innovative solutions to knock down information technology barriers.

The companies (EASY LABS, QUALILIFE, PROGETTIAMO AUTONOMIA) that contributed to the creation of the Pilot Office will present the equipment supplied and the new projects which are currently being developed.

Furthermore the progress of a strongly innovative project will be presented that the Teche RAI in collaboration with CRIT and the Segretariato Sociale are currently experimenting and it involved in the automatic transcription of news as to allow people with a hearing impairment to read news correlated to multimedia files.

We would like to thank the following companies for contributing in the creation of the Pilot Office: EASY LABS, QUALILIFE, PROGETTIAMO AUTONOMIA


Redazioneweb

[BOREALIS]

The Torino Games, a Showcase for Sport for People with a Disability.
Not Only a Winter Version: IdeaArgo Challenges America’s Cup 2010

Mar 14 2006

During the IX Paralympic Winter Games of Torino 2006, many events to increase awareness in sport for people with a disability have taken place. On Tuesday, March 14, 2006, at 18.30 in the Sala delle Colonne, at the Palazzo Civico in Torino We Can, You Can, will be presented a new challenge for sport for people with a disability.

The novelty lies in the core of ideas that gives life to this courageous project. A true challenge within a challenge. A competition between athletes with a disability. Rather a competition that will see at the starting line athletes with a disability as well as able-bodied athletes. Competing one against the other in a fair race.

IdeaArgo, this is the name of the group with head office in None, launched the challenge of forming for the America’s Cup, which will take place in 2010, an international crew of people with a disability. The skipper has already been nominated, it will be Lars Gael, Brazilian multi-medalled Olympic athlete, one of the strongest yachtsmen in the world.

Luca Bontempelli (director of Sailing Channel TV) will act as chairman, Laers Gael, Fabrizio Benintendi (president Società SportDipiù), Antonio Spinelli (president of IdeaArgo) and the mayor of Torino Sergio Chiamparino, who very enthusiastically supported this courageous participation, will take part in the meeting. Among the guests, there will also be some Italian athletes currently involved in the Paralympic Winter Games, Enzo Masiello and Andrea Chiaretti.


http://www.paralympicgames.torino2006.org/ENG/ParalympicGames/news/news_ita117145.html

[BOREALIS]

It's amazing how the athletes are so determined, using the abilities they do have, despite disabilities.

I've tried to show a few photos depicting them going at it --- giving it their best.

[BOREALIS]

Great Gold for Dal Maistro and another Bronze for Parente in Sestriere’s SuperG

.
Dal Maistro e Balasso

Mar 14 2006

Victory by the Austrian Sabine Gasteiger

It was an historic day for Italian skiing. Gold medal for Gianmaria Dal Maistro, in the SuperG - blind category - in the Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games.

The Italian skier had finished second behind German Gerd Gradwohl, who was then disqualified because the distance bewteen him and his guide was not within regulations; third was Slovakian Radomir Dudas.


So Gianmaria Dal Maistro's silver medal in the Super G blind category became gold.


Second bronze medal for Silvia Parente in the Paralympic Winter Games : the skier from Milan with a visual impairment finished third in the SuperG, behind Austrian Sabine Gasteiger and Czech Anna Kuliskova. Compared to the winner, Parente crossed the finish line with a delay of 2"55. As in the Downhill, Silvia Parente skied down the SuperG track preceded by Lorenzo Migliari, her loyal guide, who is her partner also in life.


Thirty-six-year-old computer programmer, with a degree in psychology, Laura Parente also loves sailing. “I hope these results will have a positive effect on all sport for people with a disability. I had already won a medal 12 years ago, at the Paralympic Winter Games in Lillehammer, but there wasn’t much of a stir, maybe because the event was held far away in Norway, or maybe because there was less awareness at the time. Today things are different”.


Redazioneweb

[BOREALIS]

Misc. skiing events - March 14

Gold medalist Verena Bentele of Germany, top left, and silver medalist Miyuki Kobayashi of Japan, top right, celebrate with their guides Franz Lankes, bottom left, and Takashi Kobayashi in the finish area of the Women's 7.5 km Visual Impaired Biathlon competition


Spain's Eric Villalon (L) and his guide Hodei Yurrita ski uring their men's super G visually impaired

Lacey Heward of the U.S. skis during the women's super G ski sitting
Italy's Luigi Bertanza crashes into the final gate in the visually impaired men's Super-G race


Lacey Heward of the U.S. skis during the women's super G ski sitting


Tyler Walker of the U.S. skies during his men's super G ski sitting


Spain's Alba De Toro skis during the women's super G visually impaired
.

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5 K in 12:36.2 minutes. That's 3.1 miles or about 4 minutes a mile. Hell I can't even run that fast.

[BullNBear52]

Paralympian XCer cooking on high heat
By Diana Wright // USOC Media Services // March 12, 2006
Visit U.S. Paralympics


Sestriere, Italy – It was a golden day for the U.S. Nordic Ski Team at the 2006 Paralympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy. Steve Cook (Salt Lake City, Utah) ended a 14-year gold medal drought, racing to first place in the men’s standing 5K. It was the first gold medal for the U.S. Nordic Ski team since the 1992 Paralympic Winter Games in Albertville, France and the fourth gold medal in the U.S. Paralympic cross-country team’s history.
Cook, a three-time Paralympian, skied with determination. He came out of the start with great speed and power, leading through the first kilometer. By the halfway point, he had slipped into third place, but he powered over the final hill and hammered it home, finishing with a time of 12:36.2 for the gold.

Following the race, Cook raised his arms in celebration and met his teammates with a broad smile on his face.

“Wow…this is amazing,” he said. “I really did not expect this. I have had a pretty difficult year and to get out there and win feels great. There aren’t words to describe how I feel right now. That was a pretty intense race and it feels so good to have finally skied well. It’s an awesome feeling.”

Cook has been competing on the U.S. National Team for ten years. He won four silver medals at the 2002 Paralympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City and was the 2005 World Cup overall champion.

“It is such an honor to even be competing here against these guys,” Cook said. “The Paralympic Games are an amazing event. There are so many great athletes here, all pushing each other and encouraging each other. This takes a lot of pressure off of me for the rest of my races (10K, 20K and relay).”

The silver medal in men’s standing 5K went to Siarhei Silchanka of Belarus (12:41.0) and the bronze went to Thomas Oelsner of Germany (12:45.3).

Also competing in the men’s 5K for for the U.S. squad were Dan Perkins (Syracuse, N.Y), who came in 26th (15:05.2) and Mike Crenshaw (Boulder, Colo.) who was 27th (15:26.9).

In the men’s 2.5K sitting race, Bob Balk (Long Beach, Calif.) was the top U.S. finisher, placing 11th with a time of 16:46.3. First-time Paralympians Chris Klebl (Heber City, Utah) and Greg Mallory (Portland, Ore.) were 23rd and 24th, respectively, with Klebl racing to a time of 18:15.5 and Mallory coming in at 18:20.7.

Balk was pleased with his finish and said, “I feel great out there. My skis were fast, I was prepared, and it all went really well.”

On the women’s side, all three of the U.S. athletes finished in the top ten of their respective races. Kelly Underkofler (St. Paul, Minn.) took eighth place in the standing 5K with a time of 17:02.6. Having placed fourth in the biathlon a day earlier, Underkofler had a strong race against another very tough field.

“I feel like I did my best,” she said. “I am happy with the way that I skied today, there is just a lot of really great competition out there.”

Candace Cable (Truckee, Calif.) was eighth in the sitting 2.5K with a time of 9:48.7. These are Cable’s tenth Paralympic Games, and, at 51 years old, she is a tough competitor. “I’m really happy with my finish,” she said. “I’m feeling great, and am looking forward to the rest of my races.”

Monica Bascio (Evergreen, Colo.) was right behind Cable, finishing ninth in the sitting 2.5K with a time of 10:04.1.

Jon Kreamelmeyer (Frisco, Colo.), the head coach of the Nordic Team, was extremely proud of his team.

“It has been a really good day for our team,” he said. “I am so proud and happy for Steve. He is a quality guy who has worked hard for a really long time and he definitely deserves this. There are a lot of components that go into his win. It kind of feels like a gold medal for the whole team. There’s the countless hours Steve has spent training, his determination to overcome his illness from earlier in the year, all of the techs who work hard on making our skis as fast as possible…it was a fun day and it is great to see Steve so excited.”

Competition continues Tuesday with short-distance biathlon. The middle distance cross-country races take place on Wednesday.

Results/Schedule of Events for U.S. Nordic Ski Team
March 11
Biathlon
Women’s 12.5K Standing (Kelly Underkofler, 4th place)
Women’s 10K Sitting (Monica Bascio, 6th place)

March 12
Cross-Country
Men’s 5K Standing (Steve Cook, 1st place/Gold Medal; Dan Perkins, 26th place; Mike Crenshaw, 28th place)
Men’s 5K Sitting (Bob Balk, 11th place; Chris Klebl, 23rd place; Greg Mallory, 24th place)
Women’s 5K Standing (Kelly Underkofler, 8th place)
Women’s 2.5K Sitting (Candace Cable, 8th place; Monica Bascio, 9th place)

March 14
Biathlon
Men’s 7.5K (Dan Perkins)
Women’s 7.5K Standing (Kelly Underkofler)
Women’s 7.5K Sitting (Monica Bascio)

March 15
Cross-Country
Men’s 10K Standing (Steve Cook, Mike Crenshaw, Dan Perkins)
Men’s 10K Sitting (Bob Balk, Chris Klebl, Greg Mallory)
Women’s 10K Standing (Kelly Underkofler)
Women’s 5K Sitting (Monica Bascio, Candace Cable)

[BOREALIS]

Wheelchair Curling - 13 March

From top, athletes of the Norwegian, Swedish and Canadian teams
are seen during the Wheelcair Curling Round Robin competition


Wes Smith of the USA chats to team mate Augusto Perez during
the Wheelchair Curling match between the USA and Denmark


Chris Daw of Canada prepares to release the stone during
Wheelchair Curling match between Norway and Canada


Rune Lorentsen of Norway steadiesteam mate Geir Arne Skogstad (r)
as he releases the stone between the Norway and Canada


Angie Malone of Great Britain steadies team mate Michael
McCreadie as he releases the stone

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Laurie Stephens wins super G in Torino
// U.S. Ski Team // March 14, 2006
Visit U.S. Paralympics



SESTRIERE, Italy (March 14) - Sit-skier Laurie Stephens (LW-12/1; Wenham, MA) won her second gold medal of the Paralymics Tuesday, capturing the women's super G at Borgata by more than three seconds. Nick Catanzarite (LW-10; Winter Park, CO) led U.S. men, finishing fourth, missing a medal by eight-hundredths of a second.
Stephens, the Paralympics downhill champion from Sunday, had an adjusted time of 1:19.16 with Kuniko Obinata of Japan runnerup in 1:22.22. Stephani Victor (LW-12/2; Park City, UT), who was forced out of the DH because of a pre-race mishap, returned for the super G and was fourth (1:23.44), missing the podium by four-tenths of a second.

Stephens has held the Overall title in World Cup standings for three years in a row now and continues to dominate in Sestriere.

"I was just letting it go out there. I always want to ski the best I can," Stephens said, "and just letting it go is part of it."

Victor, who lost both legs in a bizarre traffic accident, said she was inspired by Stephens' performance. "I watched her at the start and she just went for it. It's like she gave me permission to have fun and just let it go," Victor said.

"I've had dreams about this race course. I had a great race from the start to the finish line and I can't complain about four-tenths," she said.

Stephens, who was born with spinal bifida, has been dominant on the women's World Cup since she joined the tour with the 2004 season; she won all six giant slalom that season as well as the overall crown with nine wins and last season she swept every sit-skier title: slalom and GS, speed (super Gs and one DH)

German veteran Martin Braxenthaer (LW-10/2) won the men's sit-ski SG in 1:12.83, finishing 1.6 seconds ahead of Austrian Harald Eder (LW-11). Catanzarite's time was 1:15.12 while Kevin Bramble (LW-12/1; Truckee, CA), the downhill champion, finished 10th in 1:17.69 with Tyler Walker (LW-12/2; Fraconia, NH) in 11th place, another .06 back.

Catanzarite, paralyzed below the waist in a 1995 crash before a race, was understandably pleased with his fourth-place finish after failing to finish the downhill Sunday. "I would've liked to have medaled, but I had a great run. My head was in it. I wanted to go fast and gave it all I had," said Catanzarite. "I needed this. I was losing confidence after the downhill."

In a cross-over, three members of the U.S. disabled cross country squad competed in the short distance biathlon race. Monica Bascio (LW-11; Evergreen, CO) was sixth among the sit-skiers, Kelly Underkoler (LW-6/8; St. Paul, MN) was seventh in the standup class and Dan Perkins (LW-4; North Syracuse, NY) finished 10th in the men's race.

Wednesday's schedule sees a break for alpine but cross country resumes in Pragelato Plan, down the hill from Sestriere - beyond the alpine Kandahar Banchetta course in Borgata, with middle distance races in classic technique.

IX PARALYMPIC WINTER GAMES
Kandahar Banchetta
Sestriere, ITA - March 14, 2006
All times adjusted
Men's Super G - Standups
1. Martin Braxenthaler, LW-10/2, Germany, 1:12.83
2. Harald Eder, LW-11, Austria, 1:12.43
3. Robert Froehle, LW-11, Austria, 1:15.04
-
4. Nick Catanzarite, LW-10/1, Winter Park, colo., 1:15.12
10. Kevin Bramble, LW-12/1, Truckee, Calif., 1:17.69
11. Tyler Walker, LW-12/2, Franconia, N.H., 1:17.75
19. Roger Lee, LW-11, Wildomar, Calif., 1:21.05
28. Joe Tompkins, LW-11, Juneau, Alaska, 1:23.27
31. Carl Burnett, LW-11, Cape Elizabeth, Maine, 1:24.26
32. Gerald Hayden, LW-12/1, Fresno, Calif., 1:24.49
-
DNF:
Chris Devlin-Young, LW-12/1, Campton, N.H.
--
Women's Super G - Standups
1. Laurie Stephens, LW-12/1, Wenham, Mass., 1:19.16
2. Kuniko Obinata, LW-12/2, Japan, 1:22.22
3. Kimberley Joines, LW-12/1, Canada, 1:23.04
-
4. Stephani Victor, LW-12/2, Park City, Utah, 1:23.44
8. Lacey Heward, LW-11, Boise, Idaho, 1:27.60

[BullNBear52]

I'm playing catch up.

[BullNBear52]

Voting For the 2006 U.S. Paralympic Spirit Award Delivered By DHL Begins This Weekend

Visit U.S. Paralympics


TORINO, ITALY - DHL, the Official Express Delivery and Logistics Provider of the 2006 United States Olympic and Paralympic Teams, announced today that voting for the 2006 U.S. Paralympic Spirit Award Delivered by DHL, will open today, the first day of competition at the 2006 Paralympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy.
The 2006 U.S. Paralympic Spirit Award Delivered by DHL will recognize U.S. Paralympic athletes and teams who best represent "Olympic Spirit" through their courage, commitment, performance, perseverance and vision, both in competition and in pursuit of their athletic dreams. The award honorees will be selected by consumers, media, U.S. Olympic and Paralympic alumni, and fellow Team USA athletes through an online voting process during the nine days of competition, from March 10th until March 19th, by visiting either: www.dhl-usa.com; or www.usparalympics.com.

All consumer voters will automatically be entered into the DHL "Be a U.S. Olympian for a Day" sweepstakes offering a host of prizes including the chance to win a trip for two to the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. The athlete recipients of the 2006 U.S. Paralympic Spirit Awards Delivered by DHL will be announced at the conclusion of the 2006 Paralympic Winter Games.

DHL will provide a grant of $5,000 in the name of each athlete or team to a qualified Paralympic-related non-profit organization of their choice.

The U.S. Olympic Spirit Award dates back to 1968, when it was created by the U.S. Olympic Committee to honor the extraordinary achievements of the United States' Olympic athletes. In 2000, the award was expanded to include U.S. Paralympic athletes, recognizing the excellence and efforts of athletes with physical disabilities.

2006 U.S. Olympic Spirit Award Delivered by DHL Winners:
On February 26, 2006, U.S. Olympians Joey Cheek (a two-time Olympian and two-time medalist in speedskating), Lindsey Kildow (a two-time Olympian in alpine skiing) and the U.S. Snowboarding Team were named winners of the 2006 U.S. Olympic Spirit Award Delivered by DHL. Athletes were selected based their demonstration of the Olympic Ideals and Olympic values such as courage, commitment, perseverance and vision, both in competition and in pursuit of their Olympic dream. Votes were cast during the 16 days of competition for the 2006 Olympic Winter Games, February 11 - 26, 2006, noon EST.

To vote now, visit www.dhl-usa.com or www.usparalympics.com.



EDITOR'S NOTE: For more information about the U.S. Paralympic Team and its performance at the 2006 Paralympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy, visit:

Torino 2006 -- for real-time results and schedule
http://www.paralympicgames.torino2006.org/ENG/ParalympicGames/gare_e_programma/calendario.html

U.S. Paralympic Team official site -- for features, bios and more
http://www.usparalympics.org

USOC Pressbox -- for breaking news and press releases
http://www.usocpressbox.org

usolympicteam.com -- for news, features, and more
http://www.usolympicteam.com/11959.htm

ParalympicSport.tv - Daily video from Torino.
http://player.narrowstep.tv/?player=paralympicsporttv


About DHL
A supplier of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), DHL is the Official Express Delivery and Logistics Provider of the 2006 United States Olympic and Paralympic Teams. DHL will provide express delivery and logistics services to fulfill the shipping needs of the U.S. Olympic Committee and Teams, including sporting and medical equipment and Team apparel, and is committed to delivering the Olympic Spirit all across America.

Information about DHL's Olympic Spirit Activation platform is available online at the DHL U.S. Olympic Spirit micro site (www.dhl-usa.com/olympicspirit/).

At DHL, Customer Service is back in shipping. Our mission is to provide the most flexible, personable and enjoyable experience in the shipping industry for our customers.

With annual revenues over $32 billion in 2004, DHL is the global market leader of the international express and logistics industry, specializing in providing innovative and customized solutions from a single source.

DHL offers expertise in express, air and ocean freight, overland transport and logistics solutions, combined with worldwide coverage and an in-depth understanding of local markets. Over 170,000 employees are dedicated to providing fast and reliable services that exceed customers' expectations. Founded in San Francisco in 1969, DHL's international network links more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. For more information on DHL, please visit www.dhl.com.

[BullNBear52]

http://player.narrowstep.tv/default.aspx?player=paralympicsporttv

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Internet TV to Broadcast Live from 2006 Paralympic Winter Games in Torino
// USOC // March 10, 2006
Visit U.S. Paralympics


TORINO, Italy - For the first time in history, people in the United States will be able to see live coverage of the 2006 Paralympic Winter Games, thanks to an Internet television channel. People can visit www.paralympicsport.tv for live coverage, as well as footage from previous Paralympic Winter Games, including Örnsköldsvik in 1976 and Salt Lake City in 2002.
"For the Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games, ParalympicSport.TV is expected to provide over 100 hours of live coverage from all four winter sports - Alpine Skiing, Ice Sledge Hockey, Nordic Skiing and Wheelchair Curling - as well as the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. In addition to the live coverage, the International Paralympic Committee will also provide a daily highlights package with the best performances from the previous days' competitions," said IPC President Sir Philip Craven.

Charlie Huebner, Chief of Staff for the U.S. Olympic Committee, said the channel could be great for increasing visibility and awareness of Paralympic sport across the country.

"This webcast presents an incredible opportunity for Paralympic sport in the U.S.," Huebner said. "Millions of people across the country will have an opportunity to watch the Paralympic Games and be introduced to the Paralympic movement, and we hope that it will inspire people with physical disabilities to get involved in Paralympic sport programs."

ParalympicSport.TV is a top quality 24/7 television channel broadcasting via the Internet with either regular or full screen size available for the best viewing experience. Viewers will be able to watch live and delayed programming, or see the coverage on demand later free of charge. Developed and managed by Narrowstep Inc., ParalympicSport.TV underlines the truly global nature of Paralympic broadcasting. The implementation of the new channel is co-ordinated by the IPC together with brand stage, a Hamburg based marketing agency.

The multi channel platform with a main video screen, a programme guide and a highlights section provides an additional medium for viewers to watch television coverage of the Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games, when they want, where they want. The searchable "Paralympic Archive" also features historical footage from various Paralympics.

"The Paralympic Games have made it on many television programmes in various countries. ParalympicSport.TV will now create opportunities in countries where there is no traditional television broadcast and satisfy the demand for additional content in other markets, reaching a worldwide audience," commented IPC Media and Communication Director Miriam Wilkens.

"The functionality of our system and the top class video quality makes viewing a hugely enjoyable experience," said Narrowstep COO Clifford Webb. "Embracing a new medium in this way to broaden coverage of the sports is a tremendous inititaive by the IPC."

In addition to being Worldwide Partners of the IPC, Samsung and Visa are the presenting sponsors of this project.

The long-term goal of ParalympicSport.TV is to become a global media platform for Paralympic and IPC sport, also providing access to images from other competitions and activities. By increasing the accessibility to coverage of Paralympic Games, this new technology will allow more people to experience and witness the outstanding sporting performances of Paralympic athletes.

For more information, please contact the U.S. Olympic Committee's Media Services office at the 2006 Paralympic Winter Games in Sestriere, Italy at 011-012-276-849.

[BullNBear52]

Paralympics deserve more respect on the broadcast stage
Deborah Kendrick // March 12, 2006

Copyright 2006 The Columbus Dispatch
All Rights Reserved
Visit U.S. Paralympics



If you were enthralled last month by the daily highlights of the Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy, you don't need to wait for Beijing 2008 for another fix. Six hundred world-class athletes from 41 countries are competing through next Sunday in the same venue.

The Paralympics Games, first held in 1960 in South Korea, have been held since 1975 in the same cities as the Olympics and about two weeks later. Sometimes confused with the Special Olympics, a wonderful event in which people with mental retardation ages 8 to 80 participate and where everyone receives a medal, the Paralympics feature elite athletes who leave jobs, school, families and other responsibilities to train for months, as do their nondisabled peers. The competitors have such disabilities as spinal-cord injuries, cerebral palsy, visual impairments, intellectual disabilities or a category called les autres (others), and can compete in a variety of 26 events, such as wheelchair tennis and tandem cycling.

This year's Winter Games feature alpine skiing, ice-sledge hockey, Nordic skiing and wheelchair curling. The athletes are divided in to classifications, determined by disability and level of functionality. Somewhat analogous to weight classifications in wrestling or boxing, Paralympians are classified by such standards as how much or many limbs have movement and to what degree or how much vision, if any, an athlete has and to what degree in terms of central or peripheral visual acuity.

The Paralympics have not been a central focus for international broadcasting. This year, for example, TV networks in Canada, Great Britain and Australia will air major portions of the events and NBC's Today Show and ESPN probably will broadcast snippets, but no U.S. network opted to broadcast the Games all week. Still, you can watch them.

A first-time collaboration between the International Paralympic Committee and Narrowstep Television Inc., with such sponsors as Visa and Samsung, is bringing the first 24-hour broadcast of the Paralympics to viewers worldwide, via the Internet.

At www.ParalympicSport.tv, people could watch Friday's opening ceremonies, and continue enjoying the daily events including on-demand archived footage of particular competitions.

Can you name an Alpine ski racer who zooms down slopes at 60 mph, who has organized a New England-based ski team and who has participated in world-class games as skier and coach? This could almost describe Bode Miller, but I'm talking about Christopher Devlin-Young, whose lower body is paralyzed and who has won medals first as a stand-up disabled skier and later, after sports injuries and declining functionality, as a racer sitting down.

Why are the names Josh Sundquist, Laurie Stephens and Ralph Green not as well-known, say, as Michelle Kwan and Sasha Cohen? As Rodney Dangerfield might have asked, why do they get no respect?

Maybe I'm playing a bit of the Pollyanna, but I'm guessing the reason is more lack of awareness and exposure than any real disdain. I don't want to be wrong.

Check out www.ParalympicSport.tv. Watch it long enough, get a handle on the toughness of these athletes and the triumph of their spirit and accomplishment. Then tell you friends, and maybe when the 2008 Games roll around, Olympics-viewing junkies can look forward to an extra couple of weeks watching elite athletes - on national TV.

Deborah Kendrick is a Cincinnati writer and advocate for people with disabilities. [e-mail]

Copyright © 2004 LexisNexis, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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[BOREALIS]

Ice Sled action. March 11, 12, 2006 at the Torino Esposizioni arena

Germany's Jorg Wedde waits for the start
of the ice sledge hockey match against Sweden


Swedish Jan Edbom (R) and Germany's Sebastian Kessler
follow the puck during their ice sledge hockey match


Germany's Jorg Wedde (L) celebrates with his team mate Udo Segreff
after scoring against Sweden during their ice sledge hockey match


Sweden's Peter Melander is caught in between Germany's Sven Stumpe, right
and Sebastian Kessler during the ice sledge hockey match between Sweden and Germany


Swedish goalie Kenth Jonsson watches during
the ice sledge hockey match against Germany


Canada's Verner and Britain's Briggs fight for the puck
during their ice sledge hockey match


Britain's Stephens and Canada's Lord collide during their ice sledge hockey match

[BOREALIS]

A few Skiing Medal Winers, March 12, 2006

Canada's Brian McKeever after winning the gold medal during
the visually impaired men's 5 km cross country race

(AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)

Poland's Katarzyna Rogowiec reacts as she is awarded the gold medal
after winning the women's 5 km standing cross country race


Poland's Katarzyna Rogowiec reacts as she crosses the finish line to win the gold medal
during the women's 5 km standing cross country race


Russia's Taras Kryjanoski skies on his way to win the gold medal
during the men's 5 km sitting cross country race


U.S. Kevin Bramble arrives in the finish area to win a gold medal
in the men's sitting skiing race


France's Pascale Casanova wins a gold medal
in the visually impaired women's downhill race


Japan's Kuniko Obinata skies on her way to win a silver medal
in the women's sitting skiing race


Italy's Silvia Parente wins a bronze medal
in the visually impaired women's downhill race


Germany's Gerd Gradwohl skies on his way to win a gold medal
in the visually impaired men's downhill race

[BOREALIS]

An Interview with Gregory Leperdi



Jan 26 2006

Gregory Leperdi, a Paralympic athlete, his left thigh amputated because of a road accident, has won several first places in Italian Athletics Championships between 2001 and 2004 and now also plays in the Italian National Ice Sledge Hockey team among the Tori Seduti, 2004/2005 Italian Champions.

SURNAME: Leperdi
NAME: Gregory Brian Alexis
DATE OF BIRTH: 24/6/1973
SPORT: Ice Sledge Hockey and Athletics
BEST RESULT: 2004/2005 Italian Champion with the Tori Seduti + several first places in the Italian Athletics Championships between 2001 and 2004
OCCUPATION: Clinical Research Associate, I am responsible for Italy and France for the company Medifacts International.I take care of different clinical studies and medical aids for pharmaceutical companies.
EDUCATION: Degree in Pharmacy
CLUB: Sport D +, but I play for Tori Seduti
KIND OF DISABILITY: Amputation of left thigh (Road accident)
NATIONALITY: Italian


What motivated you to want to participate in the Paralympic Winter Games, and what are your objectives for the forthcoming Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games?

A - The first thing for me is to be there! It will be incredible to compete with the best. Then it is certainly fundamental to be prepared or better to believe in victory until the last second.


How did you begin to practice sport competitively and why did you choose hockey?

A – Actually I always practiced sports. Before the accident I played basket competitively for 10 years, besides athletics between the ages of 9 and 15.And I enjoyed myself on my snowboard, besides on mountain bikes, tennis, five-a-side soccer.After the accident, I started off with athletics again with the 100m, the long jump, the high jump, the javelin, the discus and the hammer. Then I moved also into ice sledge hockey, I tried it and liked it. In the end I missed team sport a bit after the accident.


What favoured you most in undertaking competitive activity and what has caused you most problems?

A – Let's say that I was helped by the fact of being an athlete also before the accident. Whilst some problem stems from a lack of time, it would be nice to have 36/hour days, but I think that's everyone's problem!



What's the team spirit like among you?

A - Recently it is growing, even though many are too counter-productive. They think they are going to do an Olympic Games' catwalk at home. I instead think that it is good to be realistic and recognise that all the other teams have more experience than us, but as I said, to be able to win, you must first believe it!



Certainly to be in good shape requires great efforts and constancy, but also finding the time to dedicate to sport, how much do you train and at what times of day?

A - I usually train in the evening, but it's not easy to find the time. Fortunately, the company for which I work, Medifacts International, which I officially thank, gives me the possibility of working part-time, so I can find the time to train more.In any case, an ideal week of mine has 2 track trainings, one match, 2 gym training sessions and one in the pool. Then the encouragement from fans increases my performance on the pitch. It is a reason to give even more.



Do you think that the Torino 2006 Winter Paralympic Games could be a good occasion to give greater visibility to sport for people with a disability?

A - Certainly and I hope that it may be the beginning for its practice by an ever greater number of Paralympic Games' athletes. Sport is good for you, and not only those with a disability!



Can you tell us about an entertaining or pleasant episode whilst doing sport?

A – Of course! It was truly exciting when I got back on ski slopes with my snowboard. To the extent that at the end of the day, the foot of my prosthesis had rotated by nearly 180 degrees!



Alessia Mangiapane

[BOREALIS]

An interview with Florian Planker



Jan 24 2006

Florian Planker left leg amputated due to a motorcycle accident, before which he used to play ice hockey, now is an alpine skiing Paralympic athlete, winner of the third place at the 2002 Salt Lake City Paralympic Winter Games super-G competition.

Surname: Planker
Name: Florian
Nationality: Italian
Date of birth: 08.02.1977
Discipline: Alpine Skiing
Best result: 3rd in Super-G at Salt Lake 2002
Hobbies: Sitball - Water Skiing - Cycling
Occupation: Bank clerk
Class of disability: LW 2 (left leg amputation - above the knee)


Hi Florian, how did you decide to practice sport at agonistic level and why did you choose skiing?

A - Well, let's say that before my accident I used to play ice hockey and then they explained the various sports people with a disability can practice. I chose skiing straight away because I have always skied and living in Val Gardena I had good possibilities to practice it.


What do you feel about being a Paralympic champion and what was the strongest emotion the first time you put skis on?

A - It is difficult to explain Personally almost nothing special, I was happy to be able to practice sport anyway. When I was able to take the first lift with one leg without losing my balance and falling, it seemed really incredible and I felt an incredible emotion.


It must have been very hard keeping your body constantly in shape and specially finding the time to do it. So how much time are you generally able to dedicate to training, and in which moments of the day do you train?

A - In actual fact it is not very easy to find the time to train. Since I work from Monday to Friday, unfortunately training time depends always on many circumstances. Usually I go 2 or 3 evenings a week to the gym for about 1hr1/2 and when we have training sessions together with the team I have to take days off.


What were the reasons that brought you to take part again in the Paralympic Winter Games as you did in Nagano in 1998 and in Salt Lake City in 2002, where you gained good results?

A - I think that for all athletes the Olympic Games Event is the most important goal in one's career, and like the proverb says: The important thing is to take part…


Well, now let’s talk about your future, what are your objectives and expectations for the next Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games?

A - My aim is to get there prepared and able to give the maximum, maybe reaching the podium for one discipline. As far as my expectations are concerned, I am a bit doubtful, because since they grouped together also for the Olympic Winter Games all the categories together I hope to be able to be among the first ten!


Do you think the Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games could be a good opportunity to give more visibility to sport for people with a disability?

A - Yes, at least I hope so!! Looking at the small but significant steps made over the last years, I think that this event could be the turning point of the mentality and approach also by Italians. The comparison with other countries such as Austria, Germany, USA, Canada and many others which are far more open to the various sporting activities for people with a disability doesn't stand yet. The key is however in the information, the event must be surely promoted, followed and advertised more by the media, otherwise people will never know!!


Tells about your constant commitment, how has it benefited you in undertaking an agonistic activity and what gives you more problems?

A - There are many advantages, I definitely had a better recovery from the injury both physically and psychologically and I had the opportunity to encounter and extraordinary world that I could have never imagined. Among the disadvantages instead, definitely the difficulty to find the right mix between work, sport and private life.


Cristina De Ambrogio and Alessia Mangiapane

[BOREALIS]

Francesca Porcellato: from Track to Skis

.

Jan 12 2006

Interview with the Paralympic multi-medal winner, ready for the new Cross-Country challenge

AGE: 35
NATIONALITY: Italian
PROFESSION: athlete
DISCIPLINE: Cross-Country Skiing (2.5 and 5 km), after over 18 years of athletics
FIRST PROFESSIONAL COMPETITION: 1987

BEST RESULTS (athletics): 2004 world record in the Padua Marathon; Athens 2004 Paralympic Games: silver 100m and 800m, bronze 400m; European Athletics 2001: silver 200m; European Athletics 2000: silver 100m; Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games: bronze 100m; Barcelona 1992 Paralympic Games bronze 400m; Seul 1988 Paralympic Games: gold 100m and 4x100m, silver 200m, bronze 4x200m and 4x400m


Francesca, how did you start practicing sport and why did you choose athletics?

I began because it was a dream I had, I liked athletics a lot, I wanted to run. That’s how it all began: for a while I trained on my own, then I enrolled in a sports association for people with a disability and I started competing.


In athletics you won practically everything: which victory did you enjoy most?

What a difficult question! I adore all my results, because they are all fruit of sacrifice and commitment. At the moment I can tell you about my most recent ones, like when I got silver in Athens in the 800m because I had never won on an international level and getting the world record in the marathon, because it was an enormous surprise.


And when and why did you decide to shift to skiing, specifically, cross-country? Did you need new stimuli?

No, I still find athletics very stimulating, so I will carry on running. But after Athens I took a three-month pause and went on holiday; the coaches of the National team had already asked me to try because they thought I had some potential. It was a discovery for me: until then snow had been an ‘enemy’ for me, because in a wheelchair you find it limiting. Instead with the luge I realised that I had freedom on the snow too and it was great. I chose Cross-Country Skiing because in the effort you make it’s similar to athletics and the marathon.


In December, in the World Cup in Val di Fiemme, you came eight: how do you comment this result?

It was my first race on skis and went OK, I was very keyed up. I still haven’t qualified for the Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games by a little bit, because I fell and lost some time; in any case I’m happy, even if there is still a lot of work to do, because it’s all down to that.


Do you think you will manage to participate in the Paralympic Winter Games? What effect do you think racing ‘at home’ would have?

I hope I manage to get qualification in the next race, in Lillehammer. Torino would in any case be a new challenge, more so because, differently from other Paralympic Winter Games, I would feel the warmth of “my people”.


Have you already thought about when you will quit competitive sports? Are you attracted to sport management?

I never make plans, I decide from year to year. For now, I still want to do sport a lot, but when I stop I don’t think I’ll go into management; I would prefer to train, because there is a lot of need for coaches and there’s a need to work at the base, recruiting new athletes.


Besides sport, what other interests do you have?

I am a perfectly normal girl; of course sport takes away many hours a day and leads me to travel a lot, so when I can I try to stay at home and do the things you do at home, cooking, reading… I create some tranquillity.


Silvia Bruno

[BOREALIS]

An interview with Monica Bascio

. .

Jan 2 2006

Monica Bascio, athlete on US Ski Team, tells about his sports life and reveals his objectives for the Paralympic Games of Torino 2006.

AGE: 36
NATIONALITY: USA
DISCIPLINA: CROSS COUNTRY
BEST RESULTS: SILVER MEDAL IN THE 10 KM (LONG DISTANCE ) RACE AT THE IPC WORLD CUP CROSS COUNTRY SKI FINAL 2004 IN QUEBEC


How old are you and where do you live?

I am 36 years old and live in Evergreen, CO, at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains west of Denver.


Why did you start a sporting activity?

I originally started disabled sports to stay healthy and fit. When I move to Colorado three years ago, I wanted to stay active during the winter months and to keep me fitness for handcycling in the summer months. I quickly realized that XC skiing provided great fitness opportunity and I kept me outside in the beautiful Colorado sunshine.


What do you think about sport? Is it for you an entertainment or a work?

Skiing began as entertainment and quickly became full time work for me. Although I still enjoy skiing trails for the simple pleasure of being on snow among the trees, my commitment to racing is full time and is something which takes a great deal of time and all my focus.


You are always around the world to train and compete, what do you like of this kind of life?

Travelling around the world provides a great opportunity for me to learn about other cultures and appreciate an international approach to disability, sport and lifestyle and to witness some rather spectacular scenery. It is a very busy, and sometimes exhausting lifestyle, but one that I feel very lucky of which to be apart.


In your competitive career you have obtained many victories, now what are your motivations that push you to compete again?

My sporting career is very goal-oriented. I am always striving to be better in one, or more areas of my skiing and performance. I am constantly motivated by the level of my competitors and impressed with their level of commitment to training and racing. The increasing amount of women competitors also motivates my performance. These all keep my goals evolving and my interest renewed.


What are your aims for the future and for the next Paralympic Games?

My Paralympic goal is to make the podium in any one of my three races. I am particularly hoping for a medal in the 10K, long distance race. My future nordic skiing goal is to continue through 2010 Paralympics. Along the way, I will continue to pursue a spot on the 2006 Paralympic handcycling team in Bejing.


Do you think that Paralimpycgames can be a good opportunity to talk about disabilities ?

I think the Paralympic games provide an outstanding opportunity to discuss disability and bring awareness of disabled sport to the public. The Paralympic games represent possibilty and athletisism among those with physical challenges.


Do you have a message to people with disabilities that would like to begin a sporting activity?

My message to anyone considering a start in sports is to get involved! I think one should try anything and everything and keep active for both the physical and mental exhilaration that sports can provide, weather in a recreational or a competitive milieu.


Valentina Roberto

[BOREALIS]

An interview with Emanuele Pagnini

. .

Dec 23 2005

Hi Emanuele. We would like to get to know you better, so we have got a few questions lined up, to find out about your dreams and ambitions. Let’s begin with your sport: how did you start in competitive sport, and why skiing?

I decided to start skiing because it’s a sport that is perfect for my character – I love the speed, and it’s a very dynamic sport. Then there’s the fact that you practise it in wonderful places: I love being at high altitudes, and even if the weather’s bad, I still enjoy it and feel completely at ease there. I began competing after taking part in a couple of monoski races and, together with the other athletes of my society, I took part in the Italian Championships in 2002. That’s when I realized that I could participate at higher levels too, if I made a serious commitment, and that’s what I did. I like measuring myself against others, and against myself as well.


What’s it like, being a Paralympic champion?

I still feel just like a Paralympic competitor. To be a champion you have to win, but I’m definitely very proud to represent Italy in this event: this is already a dream that’s come true.


What was the strongest emotion you felt, the first time you put on the monoski?

After the car accident in 1993, I thought I wouldn’t be able to ski again. My mother told me that when I was in hospital, one of the first things I spoke about was my great regret at not being able to ski any more. Years later, when I discovered the possibility to do it with the monoski, I was really excited – so much so that I immediately hired one and went off to the slopes with my brother Francesco and a friend, Alessandro, to begin “sliding on the snow”.


How much time do you spend training, and in what part of the day?

This year I’ve trained a lot, going to the gym every day during the summer, for about 3 hours a day, then in September I started moving on the ski slopes of the glaciers, about 3 days a week, almost every week. I train above all in the mornings, both when I’m in the gym and on the slopes.


What are your objectives for the next Paralympics of Torino 2006, and what expectations do you have for these Olympic Winter Games?

My objectives are to live the event fully and to do my best. I’d rather not create any expectations – I’d like to start the competitions without any pressure, and I’m also a bit superstitious…


Superstitious! And have you got a lucky charm?

There’s a number that pops up again and again in my life that reminds me of good times, but also bad ones. It’s 41, and I carry it with me on the band that covers my legs on the “mono”.


Why did you decide to take part in the Paralympics?

Taking part in the games is definitely a source of great pride and honour for me. Then there’s the emotion of living an event that’s open to only a few…and being an athlete with the Italian team….


Do you think that the Paralympics of Torino 2006 could be a good opportunity to make Paralympic sports more visible?

Of course, an event like this has never been staged in Italy, and it’s a chance to inform people, to offer positive information, as already happens in the other countries. Most Italians don’t even know how to confront or just communicate with a person in a wheelchair, and I’m talking about everyday life, whether in the street or in a public place. Thanks to my sport I can travel abroad as well, and discover situations very different from that in Italy, and I realise that just a tiny effort would be enough to live in a better way, for us but also for the others, because we often feel uncomfortable, but often it’s the people around us who feel uncomfortable too. It’s strange how a chair with two wheels creates a difference that doesn’t actually exist.


If you had the chance to ask for some advice from an Olympic champion, what would you ask?

How to transform the emotion of an important race into competitive drive, because if you can do that, you can give 110 %.


And what advice would you give to people with a disability interested in taking up a sport?

Well, I’d tell them that doing sport is good for you. Both physically, so it’s great for those who have trouble moving, and helps in the everyday life, but also for the spirit, if you think of the saying “a sound mind in a sound body”.


Tell us what has helped you in your competitive activities, and what has created problems for you.

Competition means constant training and careful eating habits, so since I’ve been training I’ve felt much better physically – I’m stronger and more agile. The only problem that skiing creates is that it often keeps me away from my family and my daughter Claudia, who’s four.

[BOREALIS]

An interview with Gianmaria Dal Maistro


.

Dec 21 2005

D: Do you remember when and why you started practising sport on a competitive level? Why Skiing?

R: I began skiing for the fun of it, when I was only 6 thanks to my relatives. Initially I went to a skiing school for able-bodied people. It was only years later when I was 14, to be precise, that I learnt about skiing schools for people with a disability. Not much later, I had the opportunity to join the Olympic team.


D: What was your greatest emotion when you first donned skis?

R: Most certainly the medals I won at the Paralympics and when I was given the title of Grande Ufficiale della Repubblica by President Ciampi and the Goccia award for athletic value in 2005, given to me by the CIP (Italian Paralympic Committee) and President Ciampi. To hear the President’s speeches is always an emotional experience and this time it was also a great opportunity to get to know other Olympic athletes.


D: What motivated you to take part in the Paralympics?

R: The excitement of preparing to win the race, but it must basically be for fun. I think that the day I will no longer get any kicks from skiing and enjoy it I will just stop.


D: What do you think favoured you most in competition and what gives you most problems?

R: I think that what has given me an extra push was to find myself immediately at ease with athletes with a visual impairment and having tried to be the same or better than many others. Having some limits ended up with a positive influence in the following years. What would give me problems would be being in an environment that I don’t like and that doesn’t make me feel at ease. Even though skiing is an individual sport, team spirit is very important obviously considering the guide as part of a personal team.


D: Did you participate in other sport competitions besides skiing?

R: Of course, but it was only some demonstrative races at a regional level, from 8 to 14, I practiced karate and the first races were in that period.


D: Do you have any good luck charms you take with you?

R: I still have to find a true and proper charm, even though I don’t like the idea that my performance may depend even minimally, from an object.


D: How much time do you train for and at what times of day?

R: In preparation for an important race I dedicate a lot of time to training. For the occasion of the 2006 Paralympic Winter Games I have decided to commit myself to skiing full time. I have put studying aside, at least until the end of the Olympic season. Currently my objective is to win the next Games. Training on the snow is not always possible, so alternatively my guide Tommaso Balasso and I go on ice glaciers or to gyms.


D: Do you think that the Paralympic Winter Games of Torino 2006 may be a god occasion to give more visibility to sport for the disabled?

R: I hope so: what I hope is that the press, TV and the media in general reach the levels of Salt Lake City in 2002 for an event of such an importance. At the current moment, though, there is still a lot to be done.


D: What advice would you give to person with a disability interested in practicing a sport?

R: It is within everyone’s reach, you just have to want it. Naturally it takes constancy and commitment.


D: Do you remember any funny or pleasant things that happened to you doing sport and would you like to tell us before saying goodbye?

R: An entertaining episode I can tell you was when in Nagano ‘98 after I had got off the podium, my guide Monica Martini and I were “attacked” by monkeys, one of which literally tore the medal off and ran up a nearby tree. After lots of screaming, fortunately, the monkey gave up and dropped her booty”…


Angelica Tedesco