Paralympic Perspectives: Karolina Wisniewska

At her first Paralympic Gamesin 1998 in Nagano, Japan, Karolina Wisniewska of Calgary won two silver medals in the women’s alpine events. Four years later at the 2002 Paralympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah, she won medals in all four alpine disciplines. She became the first Canadian athlete to win four medals in a single Paralympic Winter Games. She began adaptive alpine skiing at age six, racing against able-bodied skiers.

I grew up in Calgary and my first Games experience was as a kid, watching the Calgary 1988 Olympic Winter Games. Although I was born with a disability, cerebral palsy, I had always skied on an able-bodied team from the age of six. Back then I didn't even know about the Paralympics.

When I discovered the Paralympic Winter Games, it was a little too late — it was shortly before Lillehammer 1994 — and I narrowly missed competing there. I was so disappointed, but I was motivated to keep training with the goal of competing in the Nagano 1998 Paralympic Winter Games.

By the time the Nagano Games came around, I felt like all the training I had done since I was six had prepared me. I was a heavy favourite to win gold in super-G and slalom, and although I came out of those Games with two silver medals and amazing memories, I was hugely disappointed. I suddenly had an even greater drive to win gold at the Salt Lake City 2002 Paralympic Winter Games.

This brings me to my most memorable Paralympic Games memory: walking in the Opening Ceremony in Salt Lake City. I remember walking out of the tunnel into Rice Eccles stadium next to my teammate and it was the most amazing feeling that came over me to see all of those people going crazy cheering and waving. There were so many Canadian flags in the crowd! It was truly overwhelming and emotional and I was so happy to be there representing Canada. Once the Ceremony had started and we were in our seats, my teammate and I turned to each other and said that even if we didn't win any medals it had been worth it just for this.

In the end, I didn't win gold at the Salt Lake City Games, but I did something else I wasn't expecting: I earned a place on the podium in every one of the four races I was in. I also came away from those Paralympic Games as the most decorated Canadian of the Salt Lake City 2002 Olympics and Paralympics!

I have learned that each Games truly has their own feeling and spirit and, for me, I take that away more than remembering a single run or a moment on the podium. True, those winning moments are so unique and important, but it can't be all about results in the end — there's a whole amazing experience to be had at the Games as well.

I ended up retiring due to injury after Salt Lake City 2002. I ended up working for the Torino Games in 2006, but I can't seem to get enough of it as a competitor. I am now working hard on a comeback to compete in alpine skiing in Vancouver 2010.

 

Paralympic Perspectives is a celebration of the two-year countdown to the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. This series comprises personal stories written by Paralympians and leaders passionate about the Games. Visit vancouver2010.com every weekday from March 12 through March 21 for a new story of personal triumph and fierce competition.

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