Why is figure skating not in the Paralympics?

Fans tuning into the Winter Paralympics will have spotted figure skating missing from the programme at Milan-Cortina despite it being one of the most popular sports at the Olympics.

There are just six sports at the Games: Para-Alpine skiing, Para-biathlon, Para-cross-country skiing, Para-ice hockey, wheelchair curling and Para-snowboard.

For skating to be included in the Winter Paralympics, the International Skating Union (ISU) needs to become recognised by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

The IPC would also need to approve a range of conditions affecting how the sport is run – including venues, costs and deciding classification categories for competing athletes.

But there are growing calls from skaters for the sport to be included and the IPC says it is keen to expand the Paralympic programme.

No new sports have been added since Para-snowboard in 2014.

Speaking before Milan-Cortina, IPC chief Andrew Parsons said: “We have not reached the limit as per our agreement with the IOC (International Olympic Committee) in terms of the number of athletes in sports. But it is not only about the limit, it is about obviously the quality of the sport at an international level.”

Double Paralympic long jump medallist Stefanie Reed has been among the voices campaigning for figure skating’s inclusion at the Paralympics after falling in love with the sport while competing on television show Dancing on Ice.

But skating faces a number of challenges before it can be added to the Games, including increasing participation numbers.

The sport would also need to clarify its classification categories, with the Games currently only offering medals to athletes in wheelchair, sitting, visual impairment and limb impairment categories.

Skating would also have to consider how its programme is adapted to enable athletes to compete in their various classifications. For example, skaters with spinal conditions would be unable to complete jumps, while blind athletes may need a guide or a Bluetooth communication headset to compete.

Former British elite skater Rhiannon Parker-Nicholls, who stopped competing in the sport after having a stroke aged 19, told the BBC: “I cannot complete three spins within three minutes because my dizziness is too severe, so a limitation on how many spin elements there are would be incredibly beneficial.

Inclusive Skating, a global organisation which aims to make skating accessible to everyone, has just been recognised by the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA).

The body is also hosting the World Inclusive Para Skating Championships in Glasgow this year with athletes from more than 30 countries competing.

Margarita Sweeney-Baird, who runs the organisation, says she is aiming for skating to be added at the 2038 Winter Paralympics.

“At the moment they’ve only got six sports in the Paralympic programme, so they’re short of events,” she told BBC’s Access All podcast.

“The sense that I’m picking up from people is that they’re very supportive.”