Under the theme, "Break the Ice," the 2014 Sochi Winter Paralympics will kick off Friday evening, local time.

An opening ceremony for the event will be held at Fisht Olympic Stadium. The global sports gala for the people with physical disabilities will run for 10 days.

It will be the largest winter paralympics ever, with 550 athletes from 45 countries around the world competing.

There are five competitive categories: Alpine ski, cross country ski, biathlon, wheelchair curling and ice sledge hockey.

The five main categories will be broken down into 72 sub-categories based on gender and the level of a person's disability.

Korea has dispatched 27 athletes and 30 sports executives, the most ever. The Korean team will enter the opening ceremony as the 28th out of 45 competing nations.