Paralympic viewing guide: Canadians poised for quick medals

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Today's opening ceremony at the Bird's Nest stadium in Beijing took place just a day after all athletes from Russia and Belarus were expelled over their countries' roles in the ongoing attack on Ukraine. As the Russians and Belarusians headed home, Ukraine's team of 29 athletes entered the stadium for the Parade of Nations led by flag-bearer Maksym Yarovyi, a silver medallist in biathlon at the 2014 Paralympics in Russia.

Canada's flag was carried by Para hockey player Greg Westlake and wheelchair curler Ina Forrest, who have won a combined six Paralympic medals, including three gold. They were chosen to lead a Canadian team of 49 athletes (including four guides for the visually impaired) that will try to build on the national-record 28 medals won four years ago in South Korea. Read more about the opening ceremony and watch highlights here.

Competition begins tonight at 9 p.m. ET, and several Canadians have chances to win medals right off the bat. Here are some of the top contenders to watch from tonight through Monday morning:

Alpine skiing

Canada has a good shot to grab some quick medals in the downhill events, which start tonight at 9 p.m. ET and include men's and women's races in the standing, sitting and visually impaired divisions. 

Mac Marcoux is the defending Paralympic champion in the men's visually impaired downhill and owns a total of five Paralympic medals, including two gold. But he could be a bit rusty as, due to an injury, this is his first race of the season.

Mollie Jepsen won four medals as an 18-year-old at the 2018 Games, including bronze in the women's