Paralympic Winter Games start Friday

The Opening Ceremony for the IX Paralympic Winter Games will be held 2006 Friday, March 10 and competition begins on Saturday. There are five competitive disciplines contested in the Paralympic Winter Games. Events for both men and women are scheduled over nine days in Alpine Skiing, Cross Country Skiing, Biathlon, Ice Sledge Hockey, and Wheel Chair Curling.

Since the first games in 1976 the Paralympics have grown from 350 athletes representing 18 countries to 600 competitors expected in Turino from over forty countries.