Paralympic student-athletes will make their debuts at the Turin 2025 International University Sports Federation (FISU) Games scheduled to take place from January 13 to 23, announced the FISU on Wednesday.

"For the first time paralympic athletes will be able to compete in snow sports disciplines together with able-bodied athletes. After the invention of the Universiade in 1959, this is another innovation by Turin, this time in the name of social sustainability," said Alessandro Ciro Sciretti, president of the Turin 2025 organizing committee.

"This is the result of two years of work with the Organizing Committee and the FISU and a historic day for the entire university sports movement. We hope to expand the number of disciplines and participants in future editions," said Milan Augustin, FISU Winter Games director.

(With input from Xinhua)

(Cover: Profile of a para-athlete in action in a slalom event. /FISU official website)