Paralympic Games

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==Paralympic Games ==

The Paralympic Games are a major international multi-sport event involving athletes with a range of disabilities, including impaired muscle power, impaired passive range of movement, limb deficiency, leg length difference, short stature, hypertonia, ataxia, athetosis, vision impairment, and intellectual impairment. The Paralympic Games are organized in parallel with the Olympic Games and are governed by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

History

The origins of the Paralympic Games can be traced back to the work of Dr. Ludwig Guttmann, who organized a sports competition for British World War II veterans with spinal cord injuries in 1948. This event, known as the Stoke Mandeville Games, is considered the precursor to the modern Paralympic Games. The first official Paralympic Games were held in Rome in 1960, featuring 400 athletes from 23 countries.

Classification

Athletes competing in the Paralympic Games are classified based on their disabilities to ensure fair competition. The classification system is designed to minimize the impact of impairments on the outcome of the competition. There are ten eligible impairment types, and athletes are grouped into classes based on the degree of activity limitation resulting from their impairments.

Summer Paralympic Games

The Summer Paralympic Games are held every four years, following the Summer Olympic Games. The event features a wide range of sports, including athletics, swimming, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, and goalball. The most recent Summer Paralympic Games were held in Tokyo in 2021.

Winter Paralympic Games

The Winter Paralympic Games are also held every four years, following the Winter Olympic Games. These games include sports such as alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, biathlon, ice sledge hockey, and wheelchair curling. The most recent Winter Paralympic Games took place in Pyeongchang in 2018.

Governance

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is the global governing body of the Paralympic Movement. The IPC is responsible for organizing the Paralympic Games and promoting the Paralympic values of courage, determination, inspiration, and equality. The IPC works closely with National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) and International Federations (IFs) to develop and promote Paralympic sports worldwide.

Impact and Legacy

The Paralympic Games have had a significant impact on the perception of disability and have contributed to the promotion of inclusivity and accessibility in sports and society. The Games provide a platform for athletes with disabilities to showcase their talents and challenge stereotypes. The legacy of the Paralympic Games includes improved accessibility in host cities, increased awareness of disability issues, and the promotion of adaptive sports.

Notable Athletes

Some of the most notable Paralympic athletes include Tanni Grey-Thompson, a British wheelchair racer who has won 11 gold medals, and Trischa Zorn, an American swimmer who is the most decorated Paralympian of all time with 55 medals. Other notable athletes include Oscar Pistorius, a South African sprinter, and Beatrice Hess, a French swimmer.

Future Games

The next Summer Paralympic Games will be held in Paris in 2024, and the next Winter Paralympic Games will take place in Beijing in 2022.

See Also

• Olympic Games
• International Paralympic Committee
• Adaptive sports
• Disability sport