[4] Despite the previous Winter Olympics being held in 1992, a 1986 decision made by the International Organising Committee (IOC) was implemented, denoting that the Summer and Winter Olympic Games be held on alternating 4 year cycles, occurring on even years.

Thus, the 1994 games were held a mere 2 years after the previous Winter Olympics of Albertville (France) in 1992.

It aimed to evoke feelings of power, vitality, strength, and energy, seen as characteristics of disabled athletes.

[5] A competition was conducted for the creation of the mascot for the 1994 Winter Paralympics, with Tor Lindrupsen winning with his drawing of 'Sondre'.

The mascot for the Games, 'Sondre', is a friendly teenage troll boy who is 'charming, good-natured, elegant, and poised', and has his left leg amputated above the knee.

Tamsweg was chosen as a training site due to its similarity in conditions to Hafjell, Norway.

[7] In February 1984, whilst riding his motorbike home from work, Michael hit a rock and came off his bike, leaving him paralysed.

[8] Leading up to the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Paralympics, Michael had a crash during training that left him unconscious.

He started skiing at the age of 3, only to have his left leg amputated above the knee when he was 9 years old, due to cancer.

Michael also competed in the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Paralympics, where he won four gold medals.

[12] He worked as a marine mechanic for Halvorsen Boats, who supported his overseas preparation in the lead-up to the 1994 Games.

[6] He also went on to win a silver medal at the 2000 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships in the men's giant slalom LW9.

A typical Downhill course starts near the top of a mountain, and has gates that are farther apart than other alpine skiing disciplines, and includes challenging turns, shallow dips, flats, and small airs.