Headlining the list for the host nation of Sochi 2014 are visually impaired skier Mikhalina Lysova and sit-skier Roman Petushkov.

The pair has already picked up seven gold medals between them in biathlon and cross-country skiing, helping ensure the host's dominance at the Paralympic Games.

Canada have also had two athletes nominated for the award with Sonja Gaudet, the world's most decorated wheelchair curler, and four-time Paralympic gold medalist Brian McKeever both on the shortlist.

Sonja Gaudet is the world's most decorated wheelchair curler having won gold in every Paralympic Games since the sport was introduced at Turin 2006 ©Getty Images



Gaudet has won a gold medal as part of the Canadian team at every Paralympic Winter Games since the sport was introduced at Turin 2006, while McKeever has picked up two cross-country golds in the one kilometre sprint and 20km so far in Sochi.

As snowboard makes its debut at the Paralympic Games, so does one of its athletes to the shortlist of the Whang Youn Dai Achievement Award.

One of the sport's premier and most recognisable athletes, Bibian Mentel-Spee of the Netherlands, has made history in Sochi by winning the first ever gold medal in snowboard cross today, following an incredibly successful return to competitive snowboarding after losing her leg to cancer.

Toby Kane has shown his true strength in Sochi, securing bronze in the standing super-combined event today just weeks after the death of compatriot Matthew Robinson
©Getty Images



Rounding off the shortlist is Australian alpine skier Toby Kane who, in the light of compatriot Matthew Robinson's tragic death following an accident at a competition last month, has bounced back to secure an incredible bronze in the men's standing super-combined event today.

The winners of the Whang Youn Dai Achievement Award is due to be announced tomorrow with the winners - one male and one female - receiving the honour at the Closing Ceremony of the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games on Sunday (March 16).

This year celebrates the eight edition of the Whang Youn Dai Achievement Award after it was first given at the 1988 Paralympic Games in Seoul.

The award is named after Dr Whang Youn Dai, who devoted her life to the furtherance of the Paralympic Movement.

Winner of the award at London 2012 was Ireland's Michael McKillop, who had claimed gold medals in the T37 800 and 1500 metres.

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