2014 Sochi Paralympics wrap up (was there enough Canadian coverage?)

Now that the Paralympic in Sochi have been over for more then a Month. The question is, "Was there enough coverage in Canada?". In my opinion there was still not enough coverage, especially on TV. The two-hour daily highlight show on CBC was just not enough to showcase our talented athletes. Being able to watch it online is great, but I would have loved to watch wheelchair curling and sledge hockey in its entirety on the television. I believe the Paralympians work just as hard as the Olympians, and they deserve the same coverage and respect. I know that TV stations probably need sponsors and thinks about TV ratings, but that is just an excuse.

Furthermore, if there was more television coverage, it would inspire children and people with different abilities to believe in themselves that they can accomplish anything they put their minds to. It would also inspire people to go pursue sports that helps them gain confidence in their life.

Even though the Paralympic coverage in Canada has improved over the last three winter games, starting with Turin in 2006, which had terrible coverage with only 5 minute packages on the weekdays and on CBC Sports Saturday on the Weekend. In Vancouver 2010 the coverage drastically improved with 60 hours on CTV with 13.6 million viewers tuning in, but drew criticism when they almost did not broadcast the opening ceremony live throughout Canada. For Sochi this year, CBC provided the most Paralympic coverage ever with 90 hours of TV broadcast and 250 hours online which averaged 8.8 million viewers per day.

Comparing to the Olympics in Turin in 2006 which had 557 hours on CBC (including TSN coverage), Vancouver 2010 had 4,500 hours on CTV where Canadians watched 1.25 billion hours, and Sochi had 1,519 hours of coverage on CBC with 33.35 million viewers. The Olympic broadcast repeats all day long with daytime and prime time coverage, why can't it be the same for the Paralympics?

What would need to happen for the Paralympics to receive more media attention and television coverage?

Merger
There have been talk about the Paralympics merging with the Olympics from the International Paralympic Committee, according to this BBC article. I would support this if it can help provide the Paralympics with more media attention. What do you think? Is it a good idea or not? Read about what retired Paralympic Gold medalist skier Jeff Dickson thinks about the idea in this CBC article.

Call to Action
Are you in favour of bringing back the petition "CTV, CBC Provide Paralympics Now" that was started after the 2012 London Paralympic games to the forefront? Especially with the Pan-American and Para-Pan American Games coming to Toronto in 2015?

Do we need more Paralympics coverage?
	Yes
	No
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2014 Paralympics in Review

Another Winter Paralympic Games came to an end on Sunday, March 16, and everybody on Team Canada has returned home. Canada had a strong showing at these Games, winning 25 medals (includes 10 Gold), and finishing third place in the medal standings.

Among the stars was veteran Paralympic skier Brian McKeever. He won three gold medals in his three individual events. He also became the first Canadian Winter Paralympian to win 10 gold medals in a career.

Sit-skiing veteran Josh Ducek won gold in the super combined and silver in the downhill. Ducek would go on to be Canada's flag-bearer in the closing ceremony.

Mac Marcoux made his Paralympic debut by winning three medals, including a gold one in the giant slalom. It was also exciting to see Mark Arendz win silver in the biathalon. The visually impaired biathlete collected Canada's first medal of these Games. He went on to win bronze in the 12.5K three days later.

The most surprising moment may have been Chris Klebl. The alpine skier took gold in the men’s 10K sitting cross-country race. It’s surprising because almost no one predicted the 42-year-old Paralympic veteran would win after having come up short in his previous two Winter Games.

The curling team returned to claim another gold medal in one of Canada's most popular sports (the first being hockey, of course). Their victory proved to the world once again that Canada has the best wheelchair curling team. They entered as defending Paralympic champions and as world curling champions.

The most bittersweet moment for many was when the sledge hockey team was forced to take home a bronze medal. While it still counts as a moment to be proud of, expectations were high that they would win gold. Their popular rivals Team USA claimed gold when they beat Norway (who claimed silver). Canada’s Adam Dixon scored four goals, the most goals of the 2014 tournament.

Canada’s other medalists of these Games were Caleb Brousseau (bronze), Kimberly Joines (bronze) and Chris Williamson (bronze) for their respective alpine skiing events.

Canada takes Bronze in sledge hockey finals

In a rematch with Norway, Canada claimed the bronze medal in sledge hockey this afternoon, in a 3-0 score.

Team Canada came back with a vengeance at Shayba Arena after a heartbreaking loss to Team USA on Thursday. They did not allow the Norwegians to dominate the game, even in a scoreless first period.

The game caught fire when forward Brad Bowden scored the first goal 30 seconds into the second period. Canada upped the intensity when Billy Bridges got the second goal during a power play midway through the game. Bridges also scored the final goal during the third period.

Bridges, it should be noted, is the all-time leading point-getter in Canadian sledge hockey.

Canada goal Corbin Watson spent most of the game worry-free, as most of the play occurred near Norway's end of the ice. He finished the game with 10 saves to post the shutout.

Norway's loss today means it is the first time they have failed to medal since sledge hockey was introduced to the Paralympics in 1994. That year it was played in the Norwegian city of Lillehammer.

In other sledge hockey action, the US team won gold in a 1-0 final against the hosts Russia. This makes the US team back-to-back Paralympic champions.

A bittersweet victory to be sure, the Canadian team have no need to feel ashamed. They are a young team with a bright future.

You can watch this game in its entirety below.

Josh Dueck wins Canada's 3rd Gold medal on day 7!

On day seven Josh Dueck won Canada's third gold medal, adding to the silver medal he won earlier in the competition.

Gold Medal
Joshua Dueck for Para-Alpine Skiing. Watch his golden moment below:

Canada's nightmare sledge match in Sochi

Disappointment came for Canada today.

Defending champions Team USA defeated the Canadians in their sledge hockey semi-final 3-0. This loss means Canada is now forced to play for bronze instead of gold.

Sixteen-year-old Declan Farmer scored the game's first two goals during the first period, at 9:12 and 14:04. Joshua Pauls scored the final goal four minutes into the second period, off a pass by Farmer.

Though 11 shots on goal were made, American goalie Steve Cash blocked them all.

An attempted goal made by Canadian Billy Bridges in the final seconds left in the game was called off because teammate Kevin Rempel was in the crease.

It's a bitter defeat for Canada as it wanted to become the first country to sweep men’s, women’s and sledge hockey at an Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Canada will face Norway at Shayba Arena for the bronze medal on Saturday. USA and hosts Russia will play for the gold medal, also to be played Saturday.

Chris Williamson Wins Bronze at Sochi on day 6

On day six Chris Williamson skied to a bronze medal for Canada. In sledge hockey Canada lost a heartbreaker. Wheelchair curling wrapped up the round-robin.

Bronze Medal
Chris Williamson for Para-Alpine Skiing, Watch his 2 great runs Below:


Curling
Draw Eight: Canada won 16-0 over Slovakia.
Draw Nine: Canada lost 12–1 to Finland, Finishing with a 7 and 2 record in the round-robin. Canada will now face China in the semifinal on March 15.

Sledge Hockey
Canada Lost 3-0 to USA in the semifinals. They will still have a chance to win bronze versus Norway.

McKeever Golden again on day 5!

On day 5 Brian McKeever Won his second gold medal of the Paralympics, where he battled through a fall and pushed to the finish line in an impressive manner. Showing a lot of heart and determination. Canada now has eight medals with two gold, two silver and four bronze, which is good for fourth place.

Gold Medal
Brian McKeever for Para-Nordic Skiing, Watch his Inspiring Finish Below:

Bronze medal

Kimberly Joines for Alpine skiing, Watch the team Canada Alpine highlights below:

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Curling
Draw Seven: Canada won 10-4 over Korea advancing to the semifinals.

Canada sweeps preliminary round of sledge hockey tournament

Canada wasted no time in wearing down the Czechs and eliminating them from the competition today, in a 1-0 score at.Shayba Arena. However it would take an entire first period in order to get there.

Captain Greg Westlake scored the game's only goal shortly after the second period began. It is his second goal of the tournament.

The Czechs, though weakened, refused to go down without a fight, which explains why the game was scoreless throughout the first period. Their goalie Michael Vapenka proved to be their strongest player, despite failing to block the one shot in the second period.

Westlake told the media afterwards it was a fun game to play, despite being a very stressful one. Canadian forward Tyler McGregor expressed extra joy over today's win because it coincided with his birthday. He says winning gold would be "icing on the cake."

Canada will now face the United States in their semi-final match-up on Thursday, at 12pm ET.

Russia and Norway will play the other semi-final game Thursday.

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Mark Arendz wins his second Paralympic medal on day 4

On day four Mark Arendz won his second medal, bronze in biathlon adding to the silver. In sledge hockey, Canada will now face USA in the semi finals after their win over the Czechs. In curling Canada overcame a four point deficit to win over China.

Bronze Medal
Mark Arendz for Biathlon

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Curling
Draw Six: Canada won 8-5 over China.

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Sledge Hockey
Canada won 1-0 over Czech Republic.

Brian McKeever is golden for Canada on day 3!

On day 3 Brian McKeever Won Canada's first gold medal at The Paralympics, which was not surprising from the eight time gold medalist. Canada now has one gold, two silver, and 3 bronze.

Gold Medal
Brian McKeever for  Para- Nordic Skiing, Watch his Inspiring Finish Below:

Curling
Draw Four: Canada won 7-2 over USA.

Draw five: Canada lost 8 – 6 to Norway in an extra end, but are still tied for first place in the standings.

Watch the wheelchair curling highlights below:

Canada adds two bronze medals on Day 2

On another successful day, Canada adds two more medals, bringing the total medal count to five and tenth in the overall standings.

Bronze Medal
Caleb Brousseau for Para-Alpine Skiing, Click here To Watch his great run.
Mac Marcoux for Para-Alpine Skiing

Curling
Draw Three: Canada won 7-3 over Sweden.

Sledge Hockey
Canada won 4-0 over Norway.

You've probably seen this already but here's the latest Canadian Paralympics commercial with a powerful message, "It's not what's missing, it's what's there".

Canada's sledge hockey team battles Norway to a 4-0 win

Canada's sledge hockey team roared back to the Shayba Arena this morning to defeat one of their fiercest rivals in a 4-0 game.

Norway was the team who prevented Canada from earning a medal at the 2010 Paralympic Games in Vancouver. The Canadian squad stepped their game up defensively today, and managed to keep it scoreless through the first period.

Then, at the top of the second period, Dominic Larocque scored the game's first goal. It's his third of the tournament. Laroque seized the opportunity to score when Norwegian forward Ole Bjarte Austevoll took a penalty.

Adam Dixon, who CBC Sports analyst Rob Snoek nicknamed 'Duck Dynasty' for his long, shaggy beard, scored the other two goals before the end of the third period. (Dixon scored two goals and two assists against Sweden yesterday.)

The most spectacular goal by far was the last one scored by Marc Dorion in the final 22 seconds of the game. It was his first goal of the tournament.

With today's second win, the Canadian team tops the Group A standings, with 6 points. The United States leads Group B.

Canada has Monday off before facing the Czech Republic on Tuesday. The Czechs are currently the second-place team in Group A.

Successful Day 1 at Sochi for Canada

On a successful opening day for Canada, they were able to pick up two silvers and one bronze medals.

Silver Medals
Mark Arendz for Biathlon
Joshua Dueck for Para-Alpine Skiing

Bronze Medal
Mac Marcoux for Para-Alpine Skiing

Curling
Draw One: Canada won 6-3 over Great Britain.
Draw Two: Canada won 5-4 over host Russia.

Sledge Hockey
Canada won 10-1 over Sweden.

Below is an inspiring video on a Paralympic curler's journey to Sochi.

Sledge hockey in Sochi begins with a blowout

The first men's ice sledge hockey game was played today between Canada and Sweden. This year Canada is seeking redemption after finishing in fourth place in Vancouver four years ago. They began their quest today with a bang. Or, to put it more accurately, with a blowout.

Sweden, the country that invented sledge hockey, were met with a crushing defeat as the Canadians trounced them 10-1. Among the top Canadians who scored goals were Adam Dixon, Anthony Gale and Dominic Larocque. Billy Bridges scored the first goal against Sweden just over a minute after the game started.

Greg Westlake, Canada's team captain, told CBC Sports following the game that despite today's win, he would like to seem his teammates improve defensively. They will get their chance in tomorrow's game against Norway.

The men's Norwegian team played their first game against the Czech Republic today, and won by a score of 2-1.

Canadian team coach Mike Mondin assured fans that his sledge hockey team will be fully prepared to face the tough Norwegian team tomorrow.

The preliminary round of men's sledge hockey will continue until Thursday, when the top four teams advance to the semi-finals. Canada is predicted to be a medal favourite at these games.

UPDATE: You can watch the highlights below

Sochi 2014 Paralympic Wheelchair curling

Curling is one of the most popular sports in Canada, and they have dominated the world. I'm a huge fan and enjoy watching curling, with all the strategy and amazing shotmaking by the curlers.

Just like the Canadian Olympic curling teams, the Paralympic curling team will be considered one of the favourites as well. Canada are the two-time gold medalist at the Paralympics, since it was introduced in 2006 at Turin, Italy. They will be looking to defend their Paralympic title from Vancouver 2010 and stay on top.The returning team consists of skip Jim Armstrong, Ina Forrest, Sonja Gaudet (3rd time Paralympian), with newcomers Dennis Thiessen, and Mark Ideson, who are the 2013 world wheelchair curling champions.

Competition begins March 8 at the ice cube curling center against teams from China, Finland, Great Britain (Silver, 2006), Norway, Russia, Slovakia, South Korea (Silver, 2010), Sweden (2 bronze medals), and USA.

Canada will open the round-robin versus Great Britain on March 8th At 12:30 AM, followed by Russia at 6:30 AM.

You can catch all the curling action live online at The official Paralympics website. Or on its YouTube channel.

Alternatively, you can watch the action @CBCsports.ca, you can find the schedule here.

TV listings for the 2014 Paralympic Games

Friday, March 7
CBC & AMI    Opening Ceremony (Live)    2-5pm

Saturday, March 8
CBC & AMI     Live Coverage        1-3pm
Sportsnet     Daily Highlights           7-9pm

Sunday, March 9
AMI        Live Coverage        9-11am
CBC                                       2-4pm

Monday, March 10
AMI                    9-10am
CBC                    4-5pm
Sportsnet             7-8pm

Tuesday, March 11
AMI                    9-10am
CBC                    4-5pm   
Sportsnet             7-8pm

Wednesday, March 12
AMI                    9-10am
CBC                    4-5pm
Sportsnet             7-8pm

Thursday, March 13
AMI                    9-10am
CBC                    4-5pm
Sportsnet             7-8pm

Friday, March 14
AMI                    9-10am
CBC                    4-5pm
Sportsnet             7-8pm

Saturday, March 15
CBC & AMI    Live Coverage        3-5pm

Sunday, March 16
CBC & AMI    Closing Ceremony    1-4pm


AMI is channel 48 for Bell, and 888 on Rogers.

The Paralympics are back, this time with expanded coverage

The 2014 Winter Paralympics begin next Friday, March 7 in Sochi, Russia. What is significant about these games is that it will, for the first time, receive more extensive coverage, including live TV broadcasts!

The CBC and Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) are providing most of the Canadian coverage between March 7 and 16. Yahoo Canada Sports and Sendtosports will handle live Internet streaming of the games. There is also an unconfirmed report that Sportsnet may also provide some coverage.

A broadcast deal was recently struck with the Canadian Paralympic Committee in response to viewer dissatisfaction over the extremely limited attention given to the Paralympics in past years. This deal means that more than 65 hours of television broadcast and up to 350 hours of digital streaming.

The official Paralympics website offers live streaming at http://www.paralympic.org/news/watch-sochi-2014-paralympics-livestream-trailer. Alternatively, you can also watch them live on its YouTube channel, http://www.youtube.com/user/ParalympicSportTV. It presently has 23,811 subscribers (as of March 2).

NBC is providing coverage of the games for the first time ever in the US. A huge outcry occurred in the disability community when it ignored the 2012 London games two summers ago. Network executives at the time wrote a message with a dismissive tone suggesting that there was little or no viewer interest in the Paralympics. Channel 4 in the UK, however, provided acclaimed, though mostly pre-recorded, coverage that was syndicated internationally.

We will be blogging more about the 2014 Paralympics, including a TV guide-style listing.

A final TV schedule has not officially been released yet. We can tell you that CBC will show the Opening Ceremonies live on March 7, from 2-5pm ET.