What is holding skating back?

USA face Canada in the Winter Paralympics in ice hockeyImage source, Getty Images
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Para-ice hockey has been included in the Winter Paralympic programme since 1994, but figure skating is not in the Games

Double Paralympic long jump medallist Stefanie Reed has been among the voices campaigning for figure skating’s inclusion at the Paralympics after falling in love with the sport while competing on television show Dancing on Ice.

But skating faces a number of challenges before it can be added to the Games, including increasing participation numbers.

The sport would also need to clarify its classification categories, with the Games currently only offering medals to athletes in wheelchair, sitting, visual impairment and limb impairment categories.

Skating would also have to consider how its programme is adapted to enable athletes to compete in their various classifications. For example, skaters with spinal conditions would be unable to complete jumps, while blind athletes may need a guide or a Bluetooth communication headset to compete.

Former British elite skater Rhiannon Parker-Nicholls, who stopped competing in the sport after having a stroke aged 19, told the BBC: “I cannot complete three spins within three minutes because my dizziness is too severe, so a limitation on how many spin elements there are would be incredibly beneficial.

“The lights are also incredibly bright, which can be really good for visuals but actually can make things worse for people like myself. So, simple adaptions can make a really, really big difference.”

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Could skating be added in the future?

Inclusive Skating, a global organisation which aims to make skating accessible to everyone, has just been recognised by the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA).

The body is also hosting the World Inclusive Para Skating Championships in Glasgow this year with athletes from more than 30 countries competing.

Margarita Sweeney-Baird, who runs the organisation, says she is aiming for skating to be added at the 2038 Winter Paralympics.

“At the moment they’ve only got six sports in the Paralympic programme, so they’re short of events,” she told BBC’s Access All podcast.

“The sense that I’m picking up from people is that they’re very supportive.”

This article is the just in from BBC Sport’s Ask Me Anything team.

More questions answered…

  • Why do athletes compete for ParalympicsGB and not Team GB?

  • How does wheelchair curling work and why are there no sweepers?

  • How do visually impaired athletes compete at the Winter Paralympics?

Related topics

  • Winter Sports
  • Disability Sport
  • Winter Olympics
  • Figure Skating

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