The IPC has selected three Paralympic greats for induction in 2010. They are cross-country skier Tanja Kari (FIN), alpine skier Chris Waddell (USA), and Biathlon and Cross-Country Skiing coach Rolf Hettich (GER). The three inductees were nominated by member organizations of the IPC based on their athletic performance, history of fair play and participation in community service. Kari, Waddell and Hettich then were selected by the IPC's Governing Board. The Paralympic Hall of Fame ensures that a permanent record and institutional memory is kept of top Paralympic athletes and coaches of all time, thus honouring the performers who achieved a...

Paralympics Go Multimedia As the entire media team of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) will soon be heading to Canada for the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, all preparations are in their final stages. The Games do not begin for another 11 days, however various tools and channels are already in place to relay as much information as possible to Paralympic fans around the world... Read more Paralympics in Vancouver 2010 The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of State (Sport), and the Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Democratic Reform),...

By Erik Brand MD MSc, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and Richard Zorowitz, M.D., Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center Erik Brand is a volunteer with Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. He is stationed as part of the Venue Transport Team at the Whistler Sliding Centre, location of luge,skeleton and bob sleigh. The severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) sustained by snowboarder Kevin Pearce while training for an Olympics qualifier gives healthcare providers, coaches and athletes an opportunity to raise awareness about common signs, symptoms, treatment, and prevention strategies in hopes of improving athlete safety. Epidemiology TBI...

By Michael Miao, M.D. Women's hockey is poised for a comeback. After winning the gold medal in Japan during the 1998 Winter Games, the USA Women's Olympic Team garnered silver in 2002 and a bronze 2006. After that, there was a major shift in the management, development and selection processes leading to the new-and-improved 2010 team. The current team boasts previous Olympians as well as several outstanding newcomers that give the USA team a solid chance to regain the gold this year in Vancouver. Although smaller and lighter in stature than their male counterparts, there is no less the level...

By Gemmie S. Devera, PA-C, MPH In April 1997, I visited Thomas Creek Ice Arena in New York and skated to Jewel's “You Were Meant for Me.” As the lyrics played “Dreams last so long even after you're gone,” I observed that skating requires a person to stay in the present and enjoy the moment. That thought was fitting because “Enjoy the Moment” is one of the mottos for this year's Olympic Games. During that visit, I skated with several skaters in their 60s and 70s and learned that one can skate for a lifetime. At my home rink, skaters...