Paralympic Winter Games -- Lillehammer 1994

Lillehammer 1994 (10 to 19 March) marked the debut of Ice Sledge Hockey, the Paralympic version of Ice Hockey that quickly became a crowd-drawer. In the final, Sweden scored the only goal against Norway in the penalty shootout to take the gold medal.

The Nordic events were held at the Birkebeineren Ski Stadium. The Norwegians claimed the gold in the Nordic sit-ski relay. German athlete Frank Hofle won a clear victory in the men's 5km race and also the Biathlon in his class. Norwegian Anne Helene Barlund was fourth in the women's 5km classic, but took a gold in the 15km classic. In the women's Biathlon, Marjorie Yvette Van de Bunt from the Netherlands won the gold in the amputee division, while Anne-Mette Bredahl-Christiansen from Denmark took the gold in the visually impaired category.

Host country Norway dominated Sledge Racing, the Paralympic version of Speed Skating. Brit Mjaasund Oyen won the women's 100m and 500m, while Lars Andresen took the gold in the men's 100m and 500m. The Closing Ceremony on 19 March in Hakon's Hall was attended by the King and Queen of Norway. The host team did itself proud by garnering the highest number of gold medals.

(Credit: IPC. Click here for further information.)