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Bobsleigh & Skeleton in the 2018 Paralympics?
Pic courtesy of the Whistler Sliding Center.

If things go according to Bob Balk’s plan, we could see bobsleigh and skeleton sledding join the Paralympic program in time for the 2018 Games in Pyeongchang. Balk, the chairman of the International Paralympic Committee Athletes Council, has submitted a proposal to add sliding sports to the slate for 2018. The sports are still in their developmental phases; there has been only one international school for aspiring bobsledders and skeleton racers with disabilities. Balk, however, is confident that the sport get things together in time to be viable for Pyeongchang. He tells Inside World Parasport:

“For standing, ambulatory athletes, they just need a sled and a helmet and go for it … But for Para athletes and bilateral amputees, we are going to have to start not running.

“For Para athletes, we’ve basically created a support for your lower legs so it’ll run on the ice behind the sled.

“I can kind of keep things together and therefore it makes the sport possible for disabled athletes and therefore a potential future Paralympic sport.

“Hopefully we can get onto the programme in the future it all works out and hopefully as soon as the 2018 Paralympics.”

The Winter Paralympics currently have only four sports on the program: sledge hockey, wheelchair curling, alpine skiing and nordic skiing/biathlon. This has left the IPC eager to expand its offerings. Bobsleigh and skeleton could certainly make incredibly exciting additions to the slate. Seriously, could imagine some Pistorius-level sprinters pushing a bobsleigh? Here’s to hoping Balk and his allies manage to develop this sport into Paralympic condition ASAP.

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