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Paralympic bobsled, skeleton athletes wanted for 2018 Games

The International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation is recruiting for the 2018 Paralympics. CBC reporter Tara Weber went to check out just what it takes.

CBC reporter Tara Weber speeds down the track to find out what it takes

RAW POV | Bobsled ride

11 years ago
Duration 1:47
CBC reporter Tara Weber speeds down the track to find out what it takes to be a Paralympic bobsledder.

The International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation is recruiting for the 2018 Paralympics in South Korea.

It's looking for athletes with a physical disabilitywho like the idea of hurling down a bobsleigh track.

A demonstration was held atCanada Olympic Park in Calgary Thursday to help recruit athletes.

  • Watch the video above as CBC's Tara Weber takes a trip down the track.

The sport is still young, but association spokesman David Kurtz says they're looking to the futureand would like to one day be fully included in the Paralympics.

The International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation has undertaken an initiative to develop a program for athletes with disabilities to participate in the ice sliding sports of bobsleigh and skeleton. (CBC)

"We've just brought on board the Korean adaptive bobsleigh skeleton federation and we feel, with their interest in development, we may have a shot yetat least to be [a demonstration sport] in 2018," he said.

In order to be a fully recognized sport, there must be eightcountries from two continents competing.

Kurtz says so far they have 11 countries and 40 athletes.

"We are still developing rules, equipment," saidKurtz. "We have to make some adaptive changes to the bob, but not much, and we're trying to make it replicate the traditional Olympic sports of bob and skeleton as much as possible."