Last Friday, the 2014 Winter Paralympics officially opened in Sochi, Russia. During the next several days, 550 athletes with disabilities, representing 45 countries, will be competing in the facilities built for the Winter Olympics. Skiing, hockey, and curling are the primary sports, and there are divisions in the alpine events for athletes who compete sitting or standing, or who are visually impaired. Competition will continue until the closing ceremony on Sunday, March 16.
The 2014 Winter Paralympics
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Arly Velasquez of Mexico competes in the Men's Super G Sitting Skiing race, on day two of the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games at Rosa Khutor Alpine Center in Sochi, Russia, on March 9, 2014. #
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Performers representing "Firebirds" fly above the arena during the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games at Fisht Olympic Stadium, on March 7, 2014. #
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Protesting Russia's role in the current Crimean crisis, team Ukraine sent only their flag-bearer Mykhaylo Tkachenko to take part in the Parade of Nations, on March 7, 2014. #
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Rasmus Lundren of Sweden and Zdenek Krupicka of Czech Republic in action during the Ice Sledge Hockey Preliminary Round Group A match between Czech Republic and Sweden at Shayba Arena, on March 9, 2014. #
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Byeong-Seok Cho of Korea celebrates scoring Korea's 2nd goal during the Ice Sledge Hockey Preliminary Round Group B match between Russia and Korea at Shayba Arena, on March 8, 2014. #
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From left, Silver medalists Aleksandra Frantceva of Russia and guide Aleksandra Frantceva, gold medalists Kelly Gallagher of Great Britain and guide Charlotte Evans and bronze medalists Jade Etherington of Great Britain and guide Caroline Powell, during the flower ceremony for the Women's Super-G - Visually Impaired, on day three of the 2014 Winter Paralympics, on March 10, 2014. #
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Vesa Hellman of Finland competes during the wheelchair curling mixed round robin match between Finland and Slovakia at the Ice Cube Curling Center, on March 9, 2014. #
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Marek Kubiacka of Slovakia with his guide Natalia Karpisova after finishing in the Men's Super G Visually Impaired during day two of the 2014 Winter Paralympics, on March 9, 2014. #
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Gold medalist Anna Schaffelhuber of Germany celebrates at the medal ceremony for the Women's Downhill Sitting during day one of the 2014 Winter Paralympics, on March 8, 2014. #
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Yurika Abe of Japan skis in the women's 15km standing cross-country event, on day three of the 2014 Winter Paralympics, at the Laura Cross-country Ski & Biathlon Center, on March 10, 2014. #
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Vasilii Varlakov celebrates scoring the 1st goal during the Ice Sledge Hockey Preliminary Round Group B match between Russia and Korea at Shayba Arena, on March 8, 2014. #
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Bronze medalist Aleksandr Davidovich of Russia celebrates after finishing the men's 15km sitting cross-country skiing at the Laura Cross-country Ski & Biathlon Center, on March 8, 2014. #
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From left: Silver medalist Irek Zaripov of Russia, gold medalist Roman Petushkov of Russia and bronze medalist Aleksandr Davidovich of Russia celebrate after the men's 15km sitting cross-country skiing, on March 9, 2014. #
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Bronze medalist Stephanie Jallen of USA celebrates during the medal ceremony for the Women's Super-G - Standing during day three of the 2014 Winter Paralympics in Sochi, Russia, on March 10, 2014. #
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