Argentina at the 2018 Winter Paralympics facts for kids
Argentina sent two amazing athletes to compete at the 2018 Winter Paralympics! These games happened in Pyeongchang, South Korea. The athletes were Carles Codina and Enrique Plantey. Carles competed in para-snowboarding, which is snowboarding for athletes with disabilities. Enrique competed in para-alpine skiing, which is skiing for athletes with disabilities.
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Meet the Team
Argentina sent two talented athletes to the 2018 Winter Paralympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. They were Carles Codina and Enrique Plantey. Carles competed in para-snowboarding. Enrique competed in para-alpine skiing.
Here's a quick look at the athletes who represented Argentina:
| Name | Sport | Gender | Classification | Events |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carles Codina | para-snowboarding | male | SB-LL2 | |
| Enrique Plantey | para-alpine skiing | male | LW11 | giant slalom |
Para-alpine Skiing
Enrique Plantey's Journey
Enrique Plantey is a dedicated para-alpine skier. In January 2018, he competed in a World Cup event in Veysonnaz, Switzerland. He did so well that he earned a spot at the 2018 Paralympic Games! He qualified for the giant slalom event.
Before that, Enrique also raced in other World Cup events. He competed in Kutai, Austria, where he finished tenth in the giant slalom. He also went to Saint Moritz, Switzerland. There, he placed tenth in giant slalom and had good finishes in slalom races. Later, he raced in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, finishing 13th.
The 2018 Winter Paralympics were Enrique's second time at the games. He had also competed in the 2014 Winter Paralympics. For the 2014 games, his hometown helped him get a special mono-ski. This ski cost $7,000, and his community helped pay for it!
Enrique started using a wheelchair after a serious car accident. This accident happened when he was young. Before the accident, he loved playing rugby, soccer, and paddle. After his accident, he found new sports like table tennis and wheelchair basketball.
In 1999, Enrique visited a ski resort with his friends. He immediately fell in love with para-alpine skiing. The very next year, his friends and family helped him buy his own mono-ski. This cost $1,000. Later, Enrique even moved to the United States for a while to train very seriously. When he's not skiing, Enrique works as a lawyer.
Skiing Events
Para-alpine skiing events include downhill, Super-G, super combined, slalom, and giant slalom. These races happen over several days during the Paralympics. Athletes compete in different categories based on their disability.
Para-snowboarding
Carles Codina's Story
Carles Codina also competed in the Winter Paralympics for the second time in 2018. He had previously raced in the 2014 Winter Paralympics. In 2017, Carles had an accident during a ski race in South Korea. He needed time to recover before he could compete again. By January 2018, he was ready and earned his spot for the 2018 Winter Paralympics. He also competed in a World Cup event in Veysonnaz, Switzerland, that same month.
Carles is from Barcelona, Spain. However, his parents are from Argentina. Carles had the choice to race for either Spain or Argentina. He proudly chose to represent Argentina!
Snowboarding Events
Para-snowboarding events at the Paralympics include snowboard cross and banked slalom. Snowboard cross is a race where athletes go down a course with jumps and turns. The banked slalom involves racing through a course with banked turns. These events are exciting to watch!
See also
In Spanish: Argentina en los Juegos Paralímpicos de Pyeongchang 2018 para niños
