2018 PyeongChang Winter Paralympic Games Guide

Author: Disabled World (DW)
Updated/Revised Date: 2 Aug 2026

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - About This Section - FAQs - Publications - Subtopics

Synopsis

Learn about the 2018 Winter Paralympics in PyeongChang, South Korea, including the six sports, medal events, competing nations, venues, and athlete numbers.

At a Glance

• 1 - Bandabi, an Asiatic black bear, served as the official mascot of the games.
• 2 - The 2018 games featured six winter sports with 80 medal events in total.
• 3 - Snowboarding was expanded into a separate discipline for 2018, carrying 10 medal events.
• 4 - With up to 670 athletes, the games marked a 24 percent rise over Sochi 2014 and a 44 percent increase in female competitors.

Topic Definition

2018 PyeongChang Winter Paralympics

The 2018 PyeongChang Winter Paralympics, officially the twelfth Paralympic Winter Games, were an international multi-sport event for athletes with physical disabilities held in PyeongChang, South Korea, from March 9 to March 18, 2018. Governed by the International Paralympic Committee, the games brought together competitors with mobility impairments, amputations, blindness, and cerebral palsy across six winter sports, namely alpine skiing, biathlon, cross country skiing, snowboarding, ice sledge hockey, and wheelchair curling. Centered on the Alpensia Resort and nearby venues in the mountains, the event featured 80 medal events and welcomed a record field of athletes, including a notable rise in the number of women competing compared with the previous games in Sochi. With Bandabi, an Asiatic black bear, as its mascot and delegations from dozens of nations, the games showcased both elite winter competition and the continued global growth of the Paralympic movement.

Overview

The 2018 Winter Paralympics, formerly known as the XII Paralympic Winter Games, were held in Pyeongchang, South Korea, from 9th to 18th March 2018.

The Winter Paralympic Games is an international multi-sport event where athletes with physical disabilities compete. This includes athletes with mobility disabilities, amputations, blindness, and cerebral palsy.

The 2018 Winter Paralympic Games will feature up to 670 athletes, a 24% increase on the 539 athletes who competed at Sochi 2014. This number includes a 44% increase in the number of female athletes set to compete compared to the Sochi 2014 Paralympics.

Competitions in the 2018 Winter Paralympics will be held in 6 Winter Paralympic sports, with 80 medal events in total. Snowboarding will be expanded into a separate discipline for 2018, with 10 medal events.

Current 2018 Paralympic Sports

• Biathlon
• Alpine skiing
• Snowboarding
• Ice sledge hockey
• Wheelchair curling
• Cross-country skiing

Number of Paralympic Athletes

With 68 athletes, the USA has the biggest delegation at PyeongChang 2018, followed by Canada (52), Japan (38), South Korea (36) and Norway (32). The competing countries are listed below, together with the number of athletes they have entered into competition.

Venues for the 2018 Winter Olympics and Paralympics

• Main Olympic Village - Athletes Village
• Alpensia Resort - Biathlon, cross country skiing
• Gangneung Curling Center - Wheelchair Curling
• Gangneung Hockey Center - Ice Sledge Hockey
• Jeongseon Alpine Center - alpine skiing and snowboarding
• Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium - Awards and Opening and Closing Ceremonies

The Alpensia Resort in Daegwallyeong-myeon will be the focus of the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Paralympics.

Bandabi, an Asiatic black bear, has been designated as the official mascot of the 2018 Winter Paralympics.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many countries competed at the 2018 Winter Paralympics

Dozens of nations took part, with the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and Norway among those fielding the largest delegations of athletes.

What is ice sledge hockey

Ice sledge hockey, now often called para ice hockey, is an adaptation of ice hockey where players sit on sledges and use two short sticks to move and shoot.

What is wheelchair curling

Wheelchair curling is a version of curling for athletes with lower body impairments, played without sweeping and often using a delivery stick to release the stone.

Where is PyeongChang located

PyeongChang is a mountainous county in the Gangwon Province of South Korea, known for its winter resorts and alpine terrain.

How do athletes qualify for the Winter Paralympics

Athletes qualify through world rankings, designated qualifying events, and eligibility criteria set by each sport and confirmed by their national committees.

What does the mascot Bandabi represent

Bandabi is an Asiatic black bear chosen to symbolize strength and determination, reflecting the spirit of the Paralympic athletes and the host region.

How is the Winter Paralympics different from the Special Olympics

The Winter Paralympics is elite competition for athletes with physical disabilities, while the Special Olympics focuses on athletes with intellectual disabilities at all levels.

Curated and edited by Ian C. Langtree, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Disabled World. This section is maintained by the Disabled World editorial team.

Last updated: 2 Aug 2026