Double gold for Sochi Paralympic skiing stars

3 minute read
Updated 3:42 PM EDT, Sun March 9, 2014
Fireworks explode after the Closing Ceremony of the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games at Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi, Russia, on Sunday, March 16.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
Fireworks explode after the Closing Ceremony of the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games at Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi, Russia, on Sunday, March 16.
Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Dancers perform during the Closing Ceremony on March 16.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
Dancers perform during the Closing Ceremony on March 16.
Dennis Grombkowski/Getty Images
Flag bearer and Alpine skier Jade Etherington of Great Britain enters the stadium during Closing Ceremony.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
Flag bearer and Alpine skier Jade Etherington of Great Britain enters the stadium during Closing Ceremony.
Dennis Grombkowski/Getty Images
Performers hold glow sticks during the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games Closing Ceremony.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
Performers hold glow sticks during the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games Closing Ceremony.
Dennis Grombkowski/Getty Images
In another shot of the glow sticks, participants are basked in color.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
In another shot of the glow sticks, participants are basked in color.
Dennis Grombkowski/Getty Images
Aerial performers in action during the Closing Ceremony.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
Aerial performers in action during the Closing Ceremony.
Harry Engels/Getty Images
An acrobat balances on a ball as Cossack dancers perform.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
An acrobat balances on a ball as Cossack dancers perform.
Hannah Peters/Getty Images
South Korean dancers perform during the Closing Ceremony.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
South Korean dancers perform during the Closing Ceremony.
Dennis Grombkowski/Getty Images
Russia team members enter the stadium before Closing Ceremony.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
Russia team members enter the stadium before Closing Ceremony.
Hannah Peters/Getty Images
An actor performs during the Closing Ceremony.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
An actor performs during the Closing Ceremony.
Dmitry Lovetsky/AP
The Russian and South Korean flags fly as a performer sings. South Korea will host the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
The Russian and South Korean flags fly as a performer sings. South Korea will host the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games.
Dennis Grombkowski/Getty Images
What seemed impossible proved possible every day at the Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
What seemed impossible proved possible every day at the Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi.
Dennis Grombkowski/Getty Images
Momoko Dekijima of Japan competes in the women's cross-country 5-kilometer free standing event on Sunday, March 16, on Day Nine of the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. The Paralympics are being held in the same venues as the recently completed Winter Olympic Games.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
Momoko Dekijima of Japan competes in the women's cross-country 5-kilometer free standing event on Sunday, March 16, on Day Nine of the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. The Paralympics are being held in the same venues as the recently completed Winter Olympic Games.
Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
Chris Klebl of Canada competes to win the gold medal in the men's cross-country 10-kilometer sitting event on March 16.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
Chris Klebl of Canada competes to win the gold medal in the men's cross-country 10-kilometer sitting event on March 16.
Dmitry Lovetsky/AP
Beth Requist and Tatyana McFadden of the United States compete in the women's cross-country 5-kilometer sitting event.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
Beth Requist and Tatyana McFadden of the United States compete in the women's cross-country 5-kilometer sitting event.
Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
Valiantsina Shyts of Belarus reacts after crossing the finish line in the women's cross-country 5-kilometer sitting event on March 16.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
Valiantsina Shyts of Belarus reacts after crossing the finish line in the women's cross-country 5-kilometer sitting event on March 16.
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
Brittany Hudak of Canada competes in the women's cross-country 5-kilometer free standing event.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
Brittany Hudak of Canada competes in the women's cross-country 5-kilometer free standing event.
Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
Melissa Perrine of Australia crashes in the women's giant slalom visually impaired event on March 16.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
Melissa Perrine of Australia crashes in the women's giant slalom visually impaired event on March 16.
Tom Pennington/Getty Images
Gold medalist Elena Remizova of Russia collapses after crossing the finish line in the women's cross-country 5-kilometer free visually impaired event.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
Gold medalist Elena Remizova of Russia collapses after crossing the finish line in the women's cross-country 5-kilometer free visually impaired event.
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
Vladimir Udaltcov of Russia competes in the men's cross country 10-kilometer free visually impaired event on March 16.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
Vladimir Udaltcov of Russia competes in the men's cross country 10-kilometer free visually impaired event on March 16.
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
Canadian players react during the medal ceremony after the ice sledge hockey gold medal game between the Russian Federation and the United States on Saturday, March 15. The United States won, 1-0.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
Canadian players react during the medal ceremony after the ice sledge hockey gold medal game between the Russian Federation and the United States on Saturday, March 15. The United States won, 1-0.
Dennis Grombkowski/Getty Images
Nikko Landeros of the U.S. celebrates after winning the ice sledge hockey gold medal game against the Russian Federation on March 15.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
Nikko Landeros of the U.S. celebrates after winning the ice sledge hockey gold medal game against the Russian Federation on March 15.
Hannah Peters/Getty Images
Joshua Sweeney of the United States scores the game-winning goal past Vladimir Kamantcev of Russia during the ice sledge hockey gold medal game between the United States and Russia on March 15.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
Joshua Sweeney of the United States scores the game-winning goal past Vladimir Kamantcev of Russia during the ice sledge hockey gold medal game between the United States and Russia on March 15.
Dennis Grombkowski/Getty Images
Aleksandr Akhmadulin of Russia crashes in the men's giant slalom standing during day eight of the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
Aleksandr Akhmadulin of Russia crashes in the men's giant slalom standing during day eight of the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games.
Tom Pennington/Getty Images
Vincent Gauthier-Manuel of France celebrates winning the gold medal in the giant slalom standing during day eight of the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
Vincent Gauthier-Manuel of France celebrates winning the gold medal in the giant slalom standing during day eight of the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games.
Ian Walton/Getty Images
Tino Uhlig of Germany leads the field at the start of the 4 x 2.5-kilometer mixed relay cross-country on day eight of the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
Tino Uhlig of Germany leads the field at the start of the 4 x 2.5-kilometer mixed relay cross-country on day eight of the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games.
Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
Hiraku Misawa of Japan competes in the men's giant slalom standing at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
Hiraku Misawa of Japan competes in the men's giant slalom standing at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games.
Tom Pennington/Getty Image
Loyd-Remi Pallander Solberg of Norway, left, collides with Adam Dixon of Canada during the ice sledge hockey bronze medal match at Shayba Arena during the Paralympic Winter Games on Saturday, March 15, in Sochi, Russia.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
Loyd-Remi Pallander Solberg of Norway, left, collides with Adam Dixon of Canada during the ice sledge hockey bronze medal match at Shayba Arena during the Paralympic Winter Games on Saturday, March 15, in Sochi, Russia.
Harry Engels/Getty Images
Ivan Frantsev of Russia competes in the men's giant slalom visually impaired on March 15.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
Ivan Frantsev of Russia competes in the men's giant slalom visually impaired on March 15.
Ian Walton/Getty Images
Grigory Murygin, left, Vladislav Lekomtcev, Roman Petushkov and Rushan Minnegulov of Russia celebrate after winning the 4 x 2.5-kilometer open relay cross-country skiing event on March 15.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
Grigory Murygin, left, Vladislav Lekomtcev, Roman Petushkov and Rushan Minnegulov of Russia celebrate after winning the 4 x 2.5-kilometer open relay cross-country skiing event on March 15.
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
Aleksandr Akhmadulin of Russia crashes in the men's giant slalom standing on March 15.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
Aleksandr Akhmadulin of Russia crashes in the men's giant slalom standing on March 15.
Tom Pennington/Getty Images
Eirik Bye of Norway and guide Kristian Myhre Hellerud compete in the mixed 4 x 2.5-kilometer relay cross-country skiing event on March 15.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
Eirik Bye of Norway and guide Kristian Myhre Hellerud compete in the mixed 4 x 2.5-kilometer relay cross-country skiing event on March 15.
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
Andrea Eskau of Germany competes in the women's 12.5-kilometer sitting biathlon on Friday, March 14.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
Andrea Eskau of Germany competes in the women's 12.5-kilometer sitting biathlon on Friday, March 14.
Dennis Grombkowski/Getty Images
French snowboarder Patrice Barattero competes on March 14.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
French snowboarder Patrice Barattero competes on March 14.
KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images
Alena Kaufman of Russia competes in the women's biathlon on March 14.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
Alena Kaufman of Russia competes in the women's biathlon on March 14.
Dennis Grombkowski/Getty Images
Russian skier Inga Medvedeva competes on March 14.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
Russian skier Inga Medvedeva competes on March 14.
Ian Walton/Getty Images
Lidziya Hrafeyeva of Belarus competes in the women's sitting biathlon on March 14.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
Lidziya Hrafeyeva of Belarus competes in the women's sitting biathlon on March 14.
Dennis Grombkowski/Getty Images
Kenji Natsume of Japan competes in the men's sitting slalom event on March 14.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
Kenji Natsume of Japan competes in the men's sitting slalom event on March 14.
The Asahi Shimbun/Getty Images
Goalie Man-Gyun Yu and defender Young-Jae Cho of South Korea stop Sweden from scoring in a hockey game March 14.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
Goalie Man-Gyun Yu and defender Young-Jae Cho of South Korea stop Sweden from scoring in a hockey game March 14.
Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Kozo Kubo of Japan crosses the finish line in the men's biathlon on March 14.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
Kozo Kubo of Japan crosses the finish line in the men's biathlon on March 14.
The Asahi Shimbun/Getty Images
A snowboarder with a lower limb prosthesis competes on March 14.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
A snowboarder with a lower limb prosthesis competes on March 14.
Julian Stratenschulte/picture-alliance/dpa/AP
Mykhaylo Tkachenko of Ukraine competes in the 12.5-kilometer sitting biathlon on March 14.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
Mykhaylo Tkachenko of Ukraine competes in the 12.5-kilometer sitting biathlon on March 14.
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
Russia's men's hockey team celebrates after winning a semifinal match against Norway on Thursday, March 13.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
Russia's men's hockey team celebrates after winning a semifinal match against Norway on Thursday, March 13.
Pavel Golovkin/AP
Aleksandr Akhmadulin of Russia crashes in the men's slalom on March 13.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
Aleksandr Akhmadulin of Russia crashes in the men's slalom on March 13.
Ian Walton/Getty Images
Haitao Du of China competes in the men's cross-country sprint on Wednesday, March 12.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
Haitao Du of China competes in the men's cross-country sprint on Wednesday, March 12.
Dmitry Lovetsky/AP
Cross-country skiers train on March 12.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
Cross-country skiers train on March 12.
Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Zdenek Safranek of the Czech Republic shoots for goal during an ice sledge hockey game against South Korea on March 12.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
Zdenek Safranek of the Czech Republic shoots for goal during an ice sledge hockey game against South Korea on March 12.
Hannah Peters/Getty Images
Russian cross-country skier Vladimir Kononov races during the semifinal of the 1-kilometer sprint on March 12.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
Russian cross-country skier Vladimir Kononov races during the semifinal of the 1-kilometer sprint on March 12.
Dmitry Lovetsky/ap
Dmytro Shulga of Ukraine competes in the men's visually impaired biathlon Tuesday, March 11.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
Dmytro Shulga of Ukraine competes in the men's visually impaired biathlon Tuesday, March 11.
Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
Audun Bakke of Norway, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring Norway's second goal March 11 during their sledge hockey game against Sweden.
2014 Winter Paralympic Games —
Audun Bakke of Norway, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring Norway's second goal March 11 during their sledge hockey game against Sweden.
Dennis Grombkowski/Getty Images