Golden Games

Ten days of Paralympic competition came to an end on Sunday night when Vancouver said farewell to the Winter Olympics and passed the flag to the southern Russian city of Sochi, the next Winter Games host in 2014.

More than 500 athletes representing 44 countries participated in the Vancouver Games, a hugely successful event which prompted International Paralympic Committee President Sir Philip Craven to call it "the best ever Winter Paralympic Games.''

It was certainly a very successful Games for the German team which topped the medal table ahead of Russia. Germany finished on top with 13 golds, with 24 medals overall, with Russia second with 12 golds and 38 medals overall.

Germany's gold collection was boosted by remarkable overall performances by Gerd Schoenfelder, the skier who won a hugely impressive four gold medals and a silver on the slopes of Whistler, and Verena Bentele who dominated the women's biathlon events.

The 39-year-old Schoenfelder, appearing in his final Paralympics before retiring from the Games, claimed victory in the super combined (standing) ski event on Saturday, adding the title to those of the giant slalom, downhill and super-G won previously.

Verena Bentele dominates biathlon with five golds

In the women's competition, Bentele also went medal crazy in Vancouver, winning five gold medals in the biathlon events. The 28-year-old, who is visually impaired, won Germany's final gold of the Games on the final day, taking her own personal haul to a phenomenal 13 golds in four Paralympics.

Bentele won her first gold at age 16 at the 1998 Paralympics in Nagano, along with two silvers and a bronze. She added to her tally with four more gold at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games and two at Turin in 2006.

After Bentele recovered from an erratic shooting spell in her final competition to win gold, she said: "I'm so happy I can't believe it. The race was very stressful for me because my shooting was really bad. I nearly can't believe I got it, I'm very happy."

Elsewhere as the Games closed, Martin Braxenthaler added another gold to Germany's haul by winning the super combined (sitting) title while Wilhelm Brem and his guide, Florian Grimm, slipped in ahead of Russia's Nikolay Polukhin to snag gold in the men's 12.5-km biathlon on the last day of competition.

But the story of Germany's Paralympics in Vancouver belonged to Schoenfelder who extended his record of Paralympics medals and cemented his position as one of the all-time greats.

Schoenfelder ends Games career with record haul

Schoenfelder's swansong in Vancouver brought to an end a Paralympic career which has seen him compete in six Games and collect an unprecedented 21 medals, including a record 15 gold medals.

The electronic technician from Kulmain had no regrets about bringing his glittering career to a close and was looking forward to becoming a father for the second time in the coming days.

"I'm happy. Every race I win I'm happy. This last week has been a lot of mental pressure and it has been tough, but I have four gold medals and one silver, so I'm very happy," he said. "My first Paralympics were in Albertville in 1992, which was totally different and it has gotten better and better since then. When they changed the rules in 2006 in Turin they changed it to a three-class system, so that meant there was more competition in my class. That was a big motivator for me."

A partial arm amputee from the age of 19, Schoenfelder has always maintained that the accident that claimed the lower part of his right arm changed his life "in a good way" but he rejects the plaudits lavished on him by others who have called him a legend.

"I talk about my accident, and tell them that sport helped me get back in the real life," Schoenfelder says. "The accident did change my life, in a good way. I'm so happy with my life now. It's perfect."

Rivals and colleague laud German's legendary reign

"I think he could go out and ski with able-bodied (World Cup) guys," American rival Brad Washburn quipped. "He's got it. He's just an awesome guy."

"He's a standout competitor and he's a stand-up guy," said Australia's Marty Mayberry, who won the silver behind Schoenfelder in Thursday's downhill. "He's very graceful. He always wishes everybody luck. In that way, he's the ideal competitor. He really wants to win, but when he doesn't he's the first to congratulate you. But it's great to see him win. You can see, when he's on that podium, he enjoys it each and every time."

"It will be sad to see him retire because he brings a lot to the sport," Mayberry added. "I'd rather finish second to Gerd and still have him around. Really."

Asked by reporters after his Vancouver haul was complete, Schoenfelder said he would compete maybe one more season, perhaps at next year's World Cup in Italy, but his association with the Paralympics – at least as a competitor – were now over. However, he did not discount returning in another capacity.

"I have so much fun with skiing and racing," he said. "Never say never, but I plan to retire next year. I will get my coaching license and give my knowledge to youngsters."

Another generation of successful German Paralympic skiers may just be another part of Schoenfelder's lasting legacy.

Author: Nick Amies
Editor: Andreas Illmer