Romania at the 2018 Winter Paralympics facts for kids

Romania sent one athlete to the 2018 Winter Paralympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. This athlete was Mihaita Papară. He competed in para-snowboarding. Romania first joined the Winter Paralympics in 2010. The country has not yet won a medal at these games. In 2010 and 2014, Laura Văleanu, a skier, represented Romania.

Romania's Team

Romania sent only one athlete to the 2018 Games. This athlete was Mihaita Papară. He competed in para-snowboarding.

Here is a list of the athletes who were part of "Team Romania" for the 2018 Games:

Helping Athletes

The Romanian National Paralympic Committee helps sportspeople with disabilities. They have a small team and not much money. Still, they work hard to support athletes in Romania.

In 2014, their budget was €50,000 for twelve sports. Snowboarding became their thirteenth sport. This happened after Mihaita Papară asked for their help. In 2016, their budget grew to €120,000. This increase happened because Romanian athletes did well in international contests.

Even with more money, it was still hard to cover all costs. It is very expensive to compete. There are also not many sponsors for disability sports in Romania. The Paralympic Games do not get much media attention. This makes it tough for Romanian athletes to go to the Games.

About Para-snowboarding

Snowboarders' Journeys

Mihaita Papară started snowboarding after a car accident. Snowboarding helped him feel more normal. It made his life feel more like it was before his accident.

In 2012, he started using a new leg prosthetic. It was very tiring. He could have tried to go to the 2014 Winter Paralympics. But he decided not to go. Papară felt he would not be at his best. He also did not have much experience in snowboarding competitions.

By 2018, things were different. Papară had competed in many more races. He had more experience and was in better fitness. He entered his first international snowboard race in November 2014. Before that race, he felt nervous. He thought, "What I'm doing is too risky, I'm going to hurt myself, give up!"

The special prosthetic leg he uses for snowboarding costs €12,000. The Romania Olympic Committee helped pay for part of it.

Laura Văleanu is a role model for Papară. Her leg amputation is similar to his. She was a skier and represented Romania at the 2010 Winter Paralympics. Those were the first Winter Paralympics Romania ever attended. Sport was very important to her. It helped her recover. Papară wanted to do the same. Sport became a way for him to get his life back.

Papară was in a car accident on September 3, 2005. Because of the accident, doctors had to remove his leg. After the accident, he tried to live a normal life. He wanted to make sure his amputation did not stop him from doing what he wanted. He said, "The recovery after such an accident, after an amputation is very difficult and lasting. If I were to give advice to a person in the same situation, I would tell them to start a physical activity, to start sport as soon as possible."

Papară is from Gheorgheni, Harghita, where he was born.

Getting Ready for the Games

In early February, Papară went to a World Cup event in Canada. He competed in banked slalom and snowboard cross races. He believes it is important for people in Romania to see him snowboarding. He hopes it will change how people think about what people with disabilities can do. He wants to be a role model for others with disabilities.

Competition Schedule

The snowboard cross event started on March 12. It ran from 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM for all classes, for both men and women. The slalom race was on March 16. It took place from 10:30 AM to 4:55 PM. Men and women in all classes raced at that time.

Paralympic History

Romania first competed at the Winter Paralympics in 2010. The country has never won a medal at the Winter Games. At the 2010 and 2014 Games, Laura Văleanu, a skier, was Romania's only representative.

See also

In Spanish: Rumania en los Juegos Paralímpicos de Pyeongchang 2018 para niños