1. How to Compete
The Paralympic games is an international event organized very much like the Olympics. All athletes who complete must have a certified disability that affects mobility. Amputees, cerebral palsy, those with visual disabilities and people with mobility disabilities are all able to participate in the Paralympics. Athletes from a wide variety of sports and countries complete in these games. To represent their countries, the athletes must win local and national competitions in their sport of choice. To be selected as a representative is a great honor and a result of hard work from the disabled athlete.
2. History of the Paralympic Games
The Paralympic Games were first started by Sir Ludwig Guttmann. The games were created for the benefit of World War II veterans. Many young men had spinal cord injuries, and the games were a great way to encourage them to engage in life. These games really developed disabled sports for the first time. In 1960, the first Paralympic Games were held. The event was organized in the same style as the Olympics, with a series of sporting events held in various locations within the same time period and was held in Rome. Starting in 1988, the Paralympic games are held in the same city as the Olympic games, three weeks after those games are completed. The same facilities are used and provide a wonderful opportunity to capture the worlds media and showcase the high level of skill and dedication required to complete in these games.
3. Summer Paralympic Games
The Summer Paralympic Games currently includes more than 19 different sports. There are individual sports, such as archery, cycling and sailing. Team sports such as football and goalball are popular. Wheelchair athletes can participate in fencing, rugby and tennis, which showcase the skill level of these athletes.
4. Watching the Paralympic Games
The Paralympic games are public event, where spectators can buy tickets and attend to support the athletes and cheer on their favorites. The games are also widely televised, with extensive coverage on all the major networks around the world. To decide which sport to watch, think about the sports that you are familiar with and then see how it is played by these athletes. Well known athletes are huge supporters of these colleagues in the Paralympic games and are often seen in the stands of the games.
5. The Winter Games
The Winter Games currently includes more than five sports. Skiing activities include alpine skiing as well as Nordic skiing. For the indoor athlete, wheelchair curling is very popular. All the sports included follow the rules and regulations created by the individual sports regulating body. The modifications made to allow disabled athletes to participate are minor and published well in advance.
