Sports Then and Now

The 2014 Winter Paralympics will take place March 7-16.

The 2014 Paralympics take place in Sochi, Russia, March 7-16. There are six different sports comprising the Winter Paralympics. With over 72 separate events taking place, and Sochi Olympic Stadium as the main venue, the Paralympics are a must see for sports fans. Though these are all cold-weather sports, the competition remains heated as the athletes vie to win the coveted medals. There are, in particular, six reasons why nobody will want to miss the television coverage this year.

Russia is the Host
2014 represents the return of international Olympic contests to Russia. The last time Russia hosted this level of athletic competition was in 1980. Viewers should use the Paralympics coverage as a window into the changes in the country since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. The networks will provide discuss life Sochi and offer narratives of its history. For many, these Games will be the first time in decades they have witnessed extensive television broadcasts from inside Russia. As a rising economic powerhouse, the nation will want to demonstrate its potential to the world.

Alpine Skiing
Watching skiers ride down the slopes at breathtaking speeds is always a delight. The courses on this level are among the most challenging in the world. The Paralympics add more reason to view. Some of the participants have missing limbs. These athletes have overcome their physical impairments to remain internationally recognized champions of the sport. Some must sit, others can stand, while a few are even visually impaired. The events include downhill, slalom and combined courses. Read the rest of this entry →