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Paralympic Dreams: Figure Skating's New Frontier
3 Mar
Summary
- Stef Reid, a track and field medalist, is now advocating for para figure skating.
- Inclusive Skating works to get figure skating into the Winter Paralympics program.
- Skaters face discrimination but are finding welcome in developing sport.
Para figure skating is emerging as a potential new sport for the Winter Paralympic Games, with athletes like Stef Reid leading the charge. Reid, a three-time Paralympic medalist in track and field, transitioned to figure skating after participating in a celebrity competition, embracing the challenge of adapting to the ice with a prosthetic leg.
An organization called Inclusive Skating is spearheading the effort to gain official Paralympic recognition for the sport. Its founder, Margarita Sweeney-Baird, developed a specialized judging system to accommodate skaters with diverse abilities and ensure fair competition. This initiative aims to provide a structured pathway for athletes with disabilities, fostering inclusivity and challenging existing norms within the sport.
Despite facing some discrimination, skaters with disabilities are increasingly finding acceptance and opportunities. Inclusive Skating also collaborates with the Special Olympics to include athletes with intellectual disabilities. Gaining Paralympic status would bring crucial funding and global recognition, solidifying the future of para figure skating worldwide.




