As the flame was extinguished at the Beijing National Stadium on March 13, 2022, the world celebrated the incredible achievements of Paralympians from around the globe. For the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF), the Games were a resounding success—not only in terms of athletic performance but in showcasing the power and potential of adaptive athletes. 

If CAF athletes competed as their own country, their 15-medal performance would have landed them in 6th place in the official medal standings. That’s a powerful testament to the organization’s commitment to identifying, developing, and supporting high-performance athletes with physical disabilities. 

Oksana Masters: A Paralympic Powerhouse 

Leading the charge was Oksana Masters, who etched her name into history as the most decorated Winter Paralympian of all time, finishing Beijing with seven medals—three gold and four silver—in Para Nordic skiing. Her grit, consistency, and dominance solidified her legacy and inspired fans around the world. 

Oksana’s success is emblematic of what’s possible when elite athletes receive the right support, training opportunities, and access to equipment. She has long been a part of the CAF community and continues to lead by example for the next generation of athletes. 

Building Team USA: The Impact of CAF’s Development Pipeline 

CAF’s collaboration with U.S. Para Nordic has yielded impressive results. Together, we’ve built a development pipeline that identifies emerging athletes and supports their journey toward elite competition. Four athletes from this partnership joined Team USA in Beijing, helping Para Nordic skiers secure more than half of all U.S. medals at the Games. 

This strategic investment is proving to be a model for success—blending talent discovery, coaching, and community support to grow representation on the world stage. 

Success Beyond Nordic Skiing 

While Para Nordic skiing took center stage, CAF athletes showed up strong across multiple disciplines: 

• Thomas Walsh, Alpine Skier, earned silver in the Men’s Giant Slalom (standing). 

• Garrett Geros, Snowboarder, captured silver in the Men’s SB-LL2 event. 

• Brenna Huckaby, a Paralympic veteran and trailblazer, added two medals to her growing collection. 

CAF athletes also played pivotal roles in team events: 

• The U.S. Sled Hockey Team defended their gold medal in dominant fashion, defeating Canada 5-0 in the final. 

• The U.S. Wheelchair Curling Team, featuring CAF athletes Steve Emt and Matthew Thums, battled to a commendable fifth-place finish. 

Reaching the World: Sharing Paralympic Stories Through Media 

CAF doesn’t just support athletes on the field—it amplifies their journeys through storytelling. During the nine-day span of the Winter Paralympics, CAF’s digital platforms lit up with activity: 

• Instagram: Nearly 70,000 impressions and over 1,000 engagements 

• Facebook: Nearly 85,000 impressions and 2,500 engagements 

• CAF Website: More than 6,500 users visited the site, totaling almost 15,000 pageviews, with Paralympic content among the most viewed 

These numbers underscore the growing interest in Paralympic sport and the hunger for athlete stories that inspire, challenge perceptions, and drive inclusivity. 

Fueling Elite Performance: The Power of Partnership 

CAF’s impact at the 2022 Games was made possible through strategic partnerships with Toyota, Bridgestone, and Nike—organizations that share our vision of building a more inclusive world through sport. 

Together, we invest in athlete development, grant funding, and media exposure to ensure that Paralympic athletes are seen, supported, and celebrated.