Overview

Slovakia sent a delegation to the 2018 Winter Paralympics in Pyeongchang host city, South Korea. The team comprised competitors in two sports: para-alpine skiing and wheelchair curling. Organisers and the national Paralympic committee announced a delegation of up to fifteen sportspeople with the goal of contesting medals and representing Slovakia on the winter Paralympic stage.

Team composition and events

The Slovak delegation focused on disciplines where the country has experience and past success. Para-alpine skiing covers several events such as downhill, super-G, slalom and giant slalom, each adapted to athletes’ classifications. Wheelchair curling is contested by mixed-gender teams and follows rules modified for athletes who use wheelchairs; sweeping is not part of the sport.

Notable athletes

Among the competitors was Henrieta Farkasova — one of Slovakia’s most decorated Winter Paralympians. Prior to the 2018 Games she had already won five gold medals, one silver and one bronze at previous Winter Paralympics, making her the leading Slovak medalist in Winter Paralympic history. Her presence highlighted Slovakia’s strength in visually impaired and para-alpine skiing categories and raised public expectations for podium finishes.

About the sports

  • Para-alpine skiing: Athletes compete in different classifications (visually impaired, standing, and sitting) with equipment and assistance adapted to each category. Events test speed, technical skill and coordination on varied downhill courses.
  • Wheelchair curling: Teams of athletes deliver stones from a stationary wheelchair; the sport emphasizes precision, strategy and teamwork. It is one of the Winter Paralympic events that commonly fields mixed-gender national teams.

Importance and legacy

Slovakia’s participation in Pyeongchang continued a tradition of winter Paralympic involvement and spotlighted adaptive winter sports in the country. High-profile athletes, particularly long-standing medalists, help draw attention to Paralympic sport, encourage grassroots participation, and inspire improvements in coaching and accessibility. The 2018 delegation reinforced Slovakia’s focus on para-alpine skiing while also maintaining a presence in team-based disciplines such as wheelchair curling.

For further details about the team, results and athlete biographies, consult the official Paralympic entries and national Paralympic resources, which track event schedules, classifications and final standings.