According to sources, the very first Paralympic Winter Games event was held in Örnsköldsvik 50 years ago, though the specific date of that historic event is not provided. The anniversary is being celebrated over several days, with visitors on March 1 having the opportunity to try various parasports. What other activities are planned for the several-day celebration beyond the March 1 event remains unclear.
Students from an adapted elementary school in Örnsköldsvik had their own try-out day, which included ice hockey, sledge hockey, cross-country skiing, and curling. How many students participated in that try-out day is unknown. Experienced parasporters Sofie Åhlander and Ture Mannelqvist were in the ski tracks showing students how cross-country skiing works.
It's really fun to give this target group the opportunity to try.
Sofie Åhlander shared advice with the students, saying, "You should have fun first and foremost, that's the most important thing. And then you have to keep your balance, that's the hard part. " Anna Mannelqvist, the parasport coach and chairperson of Vårby IK, praised the local arrangements, stating, "The municipality has arranged it really well with skis on site and you get to try skiing.
" Whether there were any injuries or incidents during the try-out day has not been reported, and the long-term goals for engaging students in parasports after the try-out day are not specified. The celebrations highlight the community's ongoing commitment to parasports.
You should have fun first and foremost, that's the most important thing. And then you have to keep your balance, that's the hard part. I think I've fallen a thousand times.
The municipality has arranged it really well with skis on site and you get to try skiing. Hopefully, you get inspired and want to continue.