The Paris Paralympics are starting from today. This will mark the 17th edition of the Summer Paralympic Games. A total of 169 nations (including NPA and Refugee Team) are taking part in this event. The Paralympic Games, which we are witnessing today, have a long history, existing for more than a century. Competitions for deaf athletes have been held since 1888, with the first sports clubs established in Berlin, Germany, in the same year.
However, the first-ever multi-sport event for para-athletes was held in 1948. The roots of the Paralympic Games can be traced back to a small hospital in England during the aftermath of World War II.
The British Paralympic movement
In 1948, Sir Ludwig Guttmann, a German-born neurologist working at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, England, organised a competition for wheelchair athletes. These athletes were primarily veterans of World War II who had spinal cord injuries. It was called the Stoke Mandeville Games and was held to coincide with the London Olympics in the same year.
From Stoke Mandeville Games to Paralympics
Over the years, the Stoke Mandeville Games continued, gaining popularity among Para-athletes from different nations. The range of sports also expanded, attracting athletes with a wider variety of disabilities.
In 1960, the Games were held in Rome, Italy, and were officially recognised as the first Paralympic Games. After being renamed, this event gained more popularity as it showcased the abilities of athletes from around the world.
Olympics joining hands with Paralympics
The Paralympic Games evolved further during the 20th century. The number of countries and athletes participating grew consistently, with competitions taking place in different cities globally. A significant moment came in 1988 when the Summer Paralympics took place in Seoul, South Korea, simultaneously with the Summer Olympics. This represented a major step towards integrating the Paralympic and Olympic Games.
In Dusseldorf, Germany, on 22 September 1989, the International Paralympic Committee was established as an international non-profit organisation to serve as the worldwide governing body of the Paralympic Movement. The Paralympics serve as the counterpart to the Olympics, demonstrating the coexistence of both movements. The term “Paralympic” comes from the Greek word “para” (meaning beside or alongside) and the word “Olympic”.
Paralympics now
Nowadays, the Paralympic Games rank among the biggest global sporting events. They take place every four years, alternating with the Olympic Games. The Games showcase various sports such as track and field, swimming, wheelchair basketball, and Paralympic archery.
