PARALYMPICS: Opening Ceremony kicks off; 58 medals up for grabs

PARALYMPICS: Opening Ceremony kicks off; 58 medals up for grabs{mosimage}TORINO, Italy – Italian president Carlo Azeglio Ciampi and a crowd of 30,000 on Friday attended the Opening Ceremony of the IX Winter Paralympics featuring 486 athletes from 39 countries.

Fifty-eight medals will be contested in five disciplines – alpine skiing, ice sledge hockey, nordic skiing, biathlon and, for the first time, wheelchair curling – over nine days.

Organizers expect 200,000 fans at the Paralympics venues in Torino, Sestriere, Pragelato and Pinerolo.

American nordic skier Candace Cable, at 51 the oldest competitor in her discipline, said, ‘There is such an air about Opening Ceremony. All of the athletes are together on the same field and are equal. Nothing has happened yet, the sky’s the limit. … Anything can happen… it’s a pretty special thing.’

Former Olympic ski champions Alberto Tomba and Stefania Belmondo, and Juventus coach Fabio Capello and some of his players were at the two-hour ceremony at Torino’s Stadio Olimpico.

A human chain of athletes representing all countries took the Olympic torch to the cauldron, which was lit by Silvia Battaglio, a blind 11-year-old Italian girl.

Random anti-doping tests will be performed, while the medalists in each event will be also tested.

”There are no worrying signals … but doping is a threat also for disabled sports,” said Miguel Sagarra, vice president of the International Paralympic Committee.

American alpine skier Andy Parr said, ‘As someone who’s already been to the Paralympics, I think one of the coolest parts was to watch the new guys on the team. They were all just so blown away. … there was just so much energy.’

Elitsa Storey of Sun Valley, Idaho, also an alpiner, said, ‘In 2002 at Salt Lake, when I was a spectator, I remember thinking when I was looking down at the athletes … that must be awesome. Being there tonight, I was really surprised that there was such a full house … the energy level was just amazing, my stomach went up into my throat. The ceremony was a great motivation for tomorrow’s race.’

American nordic skier Monica Bascio added, ‘It was amazing. I loved the fireworks and I’m definitely excited to get started. All I can think about is that I compete tomorrow and I’m nervous. I will always remember these Opening Ceremonies because they were my first real Games experience and they’re just so special.’

– USOC/The Associated Press