By Zjan Shirinian

Oksana Masters posted a video blog showing how she prepares for a biathlon indoors ©AFP/Getty ImagesMarch 24 - A trio of Paralympic athletes who posted video blogs on their experiences and thoughts while competing in Sochi have been awarded for their efforts.

Thirty Paralympic athletes recorded more than 100 behind-the-scenes video blogs as part of Samsung's "Sport Doesn't Care" campaign.

The campaign aimed to highlight that "everyone has problems in their lives to overcome, and that sport can help them do so".

Three award winners among the 30 bloggers have now been announced.

United States Nordic skier Oksana Masters won the Most Viewed award, with her video entitled "biathlon training at the Nordic skiing housing" getting more than 3,000 views.

In it, she gives an insight into off-range biathlon training.

"I think that this partnership with Samsung was an amazing experience," said Masters.

"It's very important for viewers who see us on course to also connect more to the athletes behind the scenes."



The Most Creative award was won by Norwegian ice sledge hockey player Morten Vaernes, who predicted the outcome of games in the Winter Paralympic tournament using movie quotes.

Vaernes said: "We wanted to make a game with it.

"We wanted to pick out the best movie quotes to fit in with the questions, and it was very fun for us to make.

"It was a great opportunity to expose ourselves and showcase our sport of ice sledge hockey."



Fellow player Graeme Murray, of Canada, posted a video which judges felt best reflected the campaign motto.

In it, he thanked his friends and family after Canada lost their semi-final match against the United States.

His blog was recorded with words written on paper for his deaf girlfriend.

Canada went on to win bronze with a 3-0 victory over Norway.

"I've had a lot of fun with the Samsung Paralympic Bloggers project," said Murray.

"I've learned a lot about the Games and I think this was a good way for our family and friends to get involved in a way they haven't been able to before.

"It kind of brings everyone that's not inside the Paralympic Village together and gives them an insight to what's going on inside."



The more than 100 video blogs made by the Paralympic athletes have received more than 50,000 views to date.

The judging panel for the awards included International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Sir Philip Craven, Sochi 2014 vice-president of communications Alexander Kosterina and Samsung's head of global partnerships Hoon Kang.

Sir Philip said: "The Samsung Paralympic Bloggers project contributed to helping Sochi 2014 gain more media exposure than any Paralympic Winter Games before.

"Paralympic fans not in Sochi were still able to feel like they were right alongside the athletes through their video blogs and were able to have a glimpse of their lives off the field of play."

Samsung is a Worldwide Partner of the IPC.

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