The Paralympics

The Paralympics is one of the most popular sporting events in the world.  The Games involve people with physical disabilities.  Organized by the IOC (International Olympic Committee), a large number of physically challenged people participate in several sports and team games.The Para Olympics began after the end of World War II in 1948.  Sir Ludwig Guttmann, a German neurosurgeon, migrated to Great Britain in 1939 to escape Nazi occupation.  He organized sports competitions involving World War II soldiers and veterans with spinal cord injuries in Stoke Mandeville, England.

The competition organized by Dr. Guttmann gradually developed into the Paralympic Games of the present day.  A large number of athletes and players from different countries travel to the host city to participate. The number of participant countries is on the rise, from 23 in 1960 to as many as 136 during the last Paralympics in Athens 2004.

Olympic-style games for athletes with a disability were formally organized for the first time in Rome in 1960.  In Toronto 1976 more disability groups were added, as well as the idea of merging different disability groups for international sport competitions.  In the same year the first Paralympic Winter Games took place in Sweden.

Today the Paralympics is the top sporting event for athletes from six different disability groups. The participants’ athletic achievements, rather than their disability, are emphasized and the Games’ popularity has increased year after Olympic year. The number of athletes participating in Summer Paralympic Games was 400 in Rome, 1960.  In Athens 2004 there were 3806 athletes.

The major sports included in the Paralympic Games are: power lifting, sitting volleyball, wheelchair rugby, shooting, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair fencing, wheelchair tennis, goalball, boccia ball, equestrian events, football 7-a-side, football 5-a-side, judo, rowing, swimming, cycling, sailing, athletics, archery, and table tennis.

The Paralympic Games are held in the same year as the Olympic Games.  Since the Seoul 1988 Paralympic Games and the Albertville 1992 Winter Paralympic Games they have also taken place at the same sporting venues. In June 2001 an agreement was signed between IOC and IPC (International Paralympic Committee) insuring this practice for the future. From 2012 onwards the city chosen to host the Olympic Games will also host the Paralympic Games.

Beijing will host the 2008 Paralympic Games, beginning September 6, 2008.  The Winter Paralympics 2010 will be in Vancouver, Canada.  London will host the Paralympics in 2012.

The Paralympics gives physically challenged people an opportunity to showcase their sporting talents. It has come a long way since the early days and is very popular throughout the world.

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