Amongst the 18 nations represented, the 1980 Winter Paralympics at Geilo was the first time Australia had sent an official team.

The logo for the Games included the Geilo city emblem at that time stylised with a snowflake held between the antlers of two reindeer facing each other.

[2] The medal representing the 1980 Winter Paralympic Games featured a flaming torch overlapping the three interlocking wheels of the International Stoke Mandeville Wheelchair Sports Federation (ISMWSF).

This role was voluntary due to the lack of Government funding for the Paralympic Games at the time.

For example, athletes with lower limb paralysis compete together with double knee amputees in wheelchair racing as the different injuries affect the performance of the sport in the same way.

[12] Previous to this, which includes the 1980 Winter Paralympic Games, the classifications were subject to expert opinions.

[14] The Gold medal for the men's Giant slalom 2A was won by Markus Ramsauer from Austria.

A sit-ski has a specially fitted chair over a single ski where the athlete can be strapped into the device.

This type of ski ensures wear and tear is minimised on the skier's body due to the commendable suspension.

[15] The gold medal for the men's middle distance 10 km 2A was won by Veikki Jantunen from Finland.

[6] The gold medal for the men's long distance 20 km 5A was won by Terie Loevaas from Norway.

[9] The gold medal for the men's middle distance 10 km 5A was won by Morten Langereod from Norway.

The leading country was the host nation, Norway, and they won 54 medals in total (23 gold, 21 silver and 10 bronze).