Overview

The word “Paralympic” derives from the Greek preposition “para” (beside or
alongside) and the word “Olympic”. Its meaning is that Paralympics are the
parallel Games to the Olympics and illustrates how the two movements exists
side-by-side.. The Paralympic Games is a major international multi sports 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. There are winter and Summer Paralympic Games, which since the
1988 Summer Games in Seoul, South Korea, are held almost immediately
following the respective Olympic Games. All Paralympic Games are governed by
the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). Paralympians strive for equal
treatment with non-disabled Olympic athletes, but there is a large funding gap
between Olympic and Paralympic athletes.
Sir Ludwig Guttmann is known as the father of the Paralympic Games
and the Paralympic Movement. Guttmann was a German-born
neurologist who was a medical pioneer in the field of organized physical
activities for people with disabilities.
In 2001 the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International
Paralympic Committee (IPC) signed an agreement which guaranteed that host
cities would be contracted to manage both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
This agreement was to remain in effect until the 2012 Summer Olympics but was
extended, encompassing all summer and winter games up until the 2020
Summer Olympics.
The Paralympic movement promotes values like courage, determination,
inspiration, and equality. It aims to change societal perceptions of disability and
demonstrate that anyone can achieve greatness through sport.
The games continue to grow in size, importance, and recognition globally,
helping to break down barriers for people with disabilities.

History
Origin The roots of the Paralympic games can be traud back to 1948
when Sir Ludwig Guttman organized a sports competition for British World
war Il veterans with spinal cord injuries at the stoke Mandeville Hospital in
England. This competition evolued into the first official Paralympic games
early years and evolution The games began as a small event folusing
primarily on wheelchair sports and expanded to include athletes with
wider range disabilities over the decades 1976 inclusion of visually
impaired athletes 1980 infusion of athletes with cerebral palsy
Notable milestonesIntroduction of the International Paralymic
committee in 1989 Integration of Paralympic and Olympic games under
same host city from the Seoul 1988 Paralympics onwards
SOCIAL IMPACT The paralympic games have transformed the perception
of disability, promoting inclusivity and access insportland beyon

Games in/out in each paralympic

The Paralympic sports comprise the sports contested in the summer and winter
Paralympic game. As of 2016 summer Paralympic games was included 22 sports
and 526 medal events, and the winter Paralympic include 5 sports and
disciplines and about 72 events. The number and kind of events may change
from one Paralympic games to another. The Paralympic games are a major
international multi-sport event for athletes with physical disability. This includes
athletes with mobility, disabilities, amputation, blindness and cerebral palsy.
Paralympic sport refers to organized competitive sports activities as part of the
global Paralympic movement. These sports are organized and run under the
supervision of the international Paralympic committee and other international
sports federations. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) regularly
reviews the program to ensure that sports remain inclusive and globally
represented. Sports are selected based on their ability to attract a wide range of
participants with different disabilities and to create exciting, competitive events
that reflect the values of the Paralympic movement.As with the Olympic Games,
new sports may be added in future editions of the Paralympics, while some may
be discontinued if they don’t meet the necessary criteria.
Here’s an overview of the sports that have been included or excluded from
the Paralympic Games.

Core Paralympic Sports (Summer Paralympics 2024)

As of Paris 2024, these sports are part of the Summer Paralympic Games:
1. Archery
2. Athletics (Track and Field)
3. Badminton (debuted in Tokyo 2020)
4. Boccia
5. Canoe Sprint (added in Rio 2016)
6. Cycling (Road and Track)
7. Equestrian (Para-Dressage)
8. Football 5-a-side (for visually impaired athletes)
9. Goalball (specific to visually impaired athletes)
10.Judo (for visually impaired athletes)
11.Powerlifting
 12.Rowing (added in Beijing 2008)
13.Shooting
14.Sitting Volleyball
15.Swimming
16.Table Tennis
17.Taekwondo (debuted in Tokyo 2020)
18.Triathlon (added in Rio 2016)
19.Wheelchair Basketball
20.Wheelchair Fencing
21.Wheelchair Rugby
22.Wheelchair Tennis

Sports Removed or Excluded

Some sports were included in past Paralympics but have since been removed
due to low participation or logistical issues:
1. Football 7-a-side (for athletes with cerebral palsy): Discontinued after
the Rio 2016 Games due to dwindling participation.
2. Sailing: Removed after Rio 2016 due to not meeting the International
Paralympic Committee’s (IPC) global participation requirements.
3. Snooker: Once part of the Paralympics in 1960, it was later discontinued.
4. Weightlifting: Originally a sport in the Paralympics but later rebranded
as Powerlifting, which now includes only bench pressing.

Winter Paralympic Sports

The Winter Paralympics also include several core sports for athletes with physical
and sensory disabilities:
1. Alpine Skiing (includes slalom, giant slalom, and downhill events)
2. Nordic Skiing (Cross-Country Skiing and Biathlon)
3. Para Ice Hockey (formerly known as Sledge Hockey)
4. Snowboarding (introduced in Sochi 2014)
5. Wheelchair Curling (introduced in Turin 2006)

Sports Discontinued in the Winter Paralympics

Ice Sledge Racing: This was a part of the Paralympic program but was
discontinued after the Nagano 1998 Winter Games due to low international
participation and interest.
Key note = Some sports have been featured as demonstration sports but have
not yet become part of the official Paralympic program:
 Wheelchair Dance Sport: Showcased in the past at some international
para-events, this has yet to make it to the official Paralympic Games.
 Para Bobsleigh: Tested as a potential future Winter Paralympic sport but
not yet included.

Categories included in paralympics

PARALYMPICS
Overview of classifications Classification ensure fair competition by grouping
athlites according to the extent of activity limitation resulting from thir
Impairments
main categories
physical impairment Arms with amputations, muscle weaknesses, or coordination
impairments visual impairments Athletes with varying levels of visual acuity or
field limitations Intellectual impairment Athletes with significant limitations in
Intellectual functioning
sub categories and sport specific classifications
Each sport has its own set of classification depending on the physical demands of
the games. For example
• wheelchair basketball Divided based on trunk control & arm functionality
Swimming categorized from si tos14 based on the severity of athlete's physical
or intellectual impairment Physical impairment

There are eight different types of physical impairment:

 Impaired muscle
 Short stature
 Impaired passive range of movement
 Hypertonic
 Loss of limb or limb deficiency
 Ataxia
 Leg-length difference
 Athetosis

Visual Impairment
Athletes with visual impairment ranging from partial vision, sufficient to be
judged legally blind, to total blindness. This includes impairment of one or more
component of the visual system (eye structure, receptors, optic nerve pathway,
and visual cortex). Visual impairments are classified into three levels (B1, B2,
and B3) based on the severity:

B1: Athletes with no functional vision (total blindness).

B2: Athletes with limited vision, but can see at a very short distance.
B3: Athletes with the least severe visual impairments, who can see further but
still have significant limitations.
Some sports (e.g., Goalball, Football 5-a-side) are specifically designed for
visually impaired athletes, and in many events, they use assistive technologies
or guides (such as in running or cycling).

Intellectual Disabilities
This category includes athletes with intellectual disabilities that affect cognitive
functioning. Athletes in this category typically compete in sports like athletics,
swimming, and table tennis, where they can demonstrate their physical and
athletic abilities. Athletes with Intellectual Disabilities (ID) Have limitations in
intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior, diagnosed before the age of 18.
These athletes often have conditions like Down syndrome.

Players participating
Key players to watch
Taryana mc Fadden (USA - Para Athletics) → 17 time
paralympic medalist, known for her dominance in wheel chair racing
Beatrice Vio (Italy-wheelchair Fencing) → Paralympic champion, an inspiration for
her resiliance
Devendra Jhajharia (India - Para Javelin throw)→ India's only para athlete to have
won 2 gold medals
Country wise participation
Over 4400 athletes trom more than 150 nations are expected to compete in
2024
Largest delegations :- USA, china, Great Britain & Russia
ender Representation
The 2024 paralympic games aims for a balansed male to femate ratio in
participation striving for greates gendes indusinity.
Gold medalist:
1.Avani Lekhara became the first Indian woman to win two gold medals at the
Paralympic Games, defending her title in the women's 10m air rifle standing SH1
shooting event with a world record score.
2. Nitesh Kumar won another gold medal in the Games at
the badminton events. He won the men's singles SL3 event, in which
compatriot Pramod Bhagat had won the gold medal in the previous Games.
3. Javelin ace Sumit Antil too made history as the first Indian man to defend his
title at the Paralympics, winning gold in the men's javelin throw F64 with a
stunning throw of 70.59m —a new Paralympic record. Remarkably, Sumit broke
his own previous record, set at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, not just once, but
three times during the competition.
Silver medalist;
1.Manish Narwal: The 22-year-old scored 234.9 in the final of the men’s 10
metre-air pistol shooting SH1 category to secure a silver medal. At the 2020
games he became the first male Indian shooter to win gold at the Paralympics
with his win in the mixed 50 metres SH1 event.
2. Nishad Kumar: 24-year-old Kumar came second in the men’s high jump event
of the ‘T47’ category. the T47 category applies to “athletes with a unilateral
upper limb impairment resulting in some loss of function at the shoulder, elbow
and wrist”.
3. Yogesh Kathuniya: With a 42.22 metre-throw at the games’ men’s ‘F56’ discus
throw event, the 27-year-old para-athlete from Haryana won a silver medal. His
category is where athletes compete in a wheelchair or a throwing chair.
Bronze medalist:
1.Mona Agarwal: 36-year-old Agarwal won bronze at the same category Lekhara
won gold in: the women’s 10 metre-air rifle standing SH1 event.
2. Preethi Pal: Pal, 23years old, won bronze at two events of the ‘T35’ category:
the women’s 100-metre dash as well as the 200-metre one, clocking at 14.21
seconds and 30.01 seconds respectively. She was the first Indian para-athlete to
win a track medal at the Paralympics. Her category applies to track athletes with
co-ordination impairments.
3. Rubina Francis: The 25-year-old scored 211.1 in the women’s 10 metre air
pistol SH1 event .
4. Sundar Singh Gurjar: At 64.96 metres, 28-year-old Gurjar’s javelin throw
earned him bronze at the men’s javelin throw event of the F46 category. He
shared the podium with silver medallist Ajeet Singh.
5. Deepthi Jeevanji: Clocking 55.82 seconds in the women’s 400 metre event for
‘T20’ class athletes, Jeevanji, 20, won bronze. She became the first intellectually
impaired Indian athlete to win a Paralympic medal.

India’s history in paralympics and

representation
India’s journey in the Paralympic Games has been one of resilience and
growing success, with athletes overcoming numerous challenges to make their
mark on the international stage. India made its maiden appearance at the
Paralympics in 1968 in Tel Aviv, Israel. A delegation of 10 athletes, consisting of
eight men and two women, represented the country in this historic outing.
Although India did not win any medals at the Games, it provided the first
significant international exposure for the nation’s para-athletes, marking the
beginning of India’s journey on the global Paralympic stage. Four years later, at
the 1972 Heidelberg Games in Germany, India achieved its first Paralympic
success. Para-swimmer Murlikant Petkar made history by winning gold in the
50m freestyle swimming event, setting a world record time of 37.331 seconds.
Following this landmark victory in 1972, India’s participation in the Paralympics
faced interruptions, as the country did not take part in the 1976 and 1980
Games. It wasn’t until the 1984 Games that India returned to the Paralympic
arena. This edition was a significant one, as India secured four medals—Two
silvers and two bronzes. Bhimrao Kesarkar won silver in Men’s Javelin Throw L6,
while Joginder Singh Bedi claimed silver in Men’s Shot Put L6, along with two
bronze medals in Men’s Javelin Throw L6 and Men’s Discus Throw L6.

India’s next Paralympic success came 20 years later at the 2004 Athens Games.
Devendra Jhajharia won gold in Men’s Javelin Throw F44/46, and Rajinder Singh
Rahelu earned a bronze in Men’s Powerlifting 56 kg, taking India’s total tally to
two medals in that edition. The period from 2012 to 2020 marked a
transformative chapter in India's Paralympic history, witnessing unparalleled
growth in both performance and global recognition. Beginning with Girisha N
Gowda’s lone silver medal at the 2012 London Paralympics, followed by a four-
medal haul at the 2016 Rio Paralympics, and culminating in India’s impressive
19-medal success at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, this era highlighted the
unwavering dedication and immense talent of Indian para-athletes. Their
achievements on the world stage not only elevated India’s standing in the
Paralympic arena but also inspired millions by breaking barriers and rewriting
records. India’s performance at Rio 2016 was notable, with the country winning a
total of four medals. Mariyappan Thangavelu claimed gold in the Men’s High
Jump F42, showcasing exceptional talent and determination. Varun Singh Bhati
also competed in the same event and earned a bronze medal, contributing to a
strong showing in athletics. Devendra Jhajharia continued his remarkable career
by winning gold in the Men’s Javelin Throw F46, further solidifying his legacy as
one of India's most decorated Paralympians. Additionally, Deepa Malik achieved
a silver medal in the Women’s Shot Put F53, marking a significant milestone in
Indian athletics. These achievements underscored India’s growing prominence in
the Paralympic arena and highlighted the remarkable performances of its
athletes on the global stage. India achieved its best performance to date at
these Games, winning a total of 19 medals, including 5 gold, 8 silver, and 6
bronze in 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. This remarkable haul underscored the
country’s growing prominence in the Paralympic arena. India finished 24th in the
overall medal standings, a testament to the exceptional performances of its
athletes and a significant achievement on the global stage, with several other
athletes also playing a crucial role in adding to this historic medal count. For
India, the 2024 Paris Paralympics marked the nation's most successful Games to
date. India’s participation reached new heights, with a record 84 athletes
competing in 12 sports. This impressive representation reflects the country’s
growing support for para-sports and the impact of significant government
initiatives, such as the Khelo India program and the Target Olympic Podium
Scheme (TOPS). Under TOPS, India’s top athletes receive comprehensive support
to prepare for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, with core group athletes
receiving an Out-of-Pocket Allowance (OPA) of ₹50,000 per month, alongside full
funding for their personalized training plans approved by the Mission Olympic
Cell (MOC). India's para-athletes delivered their best-ever performance at the
Paris Games, earning an incredible 29 medals—7 gold, 9 silver, and 13 bronze—
securing an 18th-place finish in the overall medal tally. This achievement
represents a watershed moment for Indian para-sports, showcasing the potential
of Indian athletes on the global stage.

Previous paralympic (Tokyo paralympic

2020)
The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, held from August 24 to September 5, 2021,
were historic and remarkable, despite being delayed by a year due to the COVID-
19 pandemic. These Games showcased the resilience and determination of
athletes with disabilities from around the world.
Largest Paralympic Games Ever: The Tokyo 2020 Paralympics featured 4,403
athletes from 162 nations, making it the largest Paralympic Games in history. A
total of 539 events across 22 sports were contested.
Badminton and Taekwondo made their Paralympic debut in Tokyo, bringing fresh
excitement and diversity to the Games.
Top Performing Nations:
 China dominated the medal table, finishing first with 207 medals (96
golds), continuing their Paralympic dominance since the 2004 Games.
 Great Britain came second with 124 medals (41 golds).
 The USA finished third with 104 medals (37 golds).
India delivered a stunning performance at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics,
achieving its best-ever medal haul- 19 medals: 5 gold, 8 silver, and 6 bronze.
The Tokyo 2020 Paralympics were held under strict COVID-19 protocols, with no
spectators allowed in most venues. Despite these challenges, the Games were a
massive success, highlighting the incredible stories of perseverance and
resilience from para-athletes across the globe.
The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games were a symbol of hope, courage, and
determination in challenging times. They showcased the growing recognition of
Paralympic sports and the incredible capabilities of athletes with disabilities. For
India, it marked a turning point in its Paralympic history, setting the stage for
greater achievements in future Games.
Next paralympics (2028)
The 2028 Summer Paralympics, also known as the 18th Summer Paralympic
Games, and branded as Los Angeles 2028 or LA28, are an upcoming
international multi-sport parasports event governed by the International
Paralympic Committee, scheduled to take place from August 15 to August 27,
2028, in Los Angeles, California, United States. Marking Los Angeles' first time as
the Paralympics host, the Games will be the first Summer Paralympics since the
1996 edition in Atlanta to take place in the United States, and the third overall.
The Games will see the debut of Paraclimbing as an event. The LA28 Games will
bring Los Angeles together to create an incredible experience for athletes, fans
and everyone in the community, using Southern California’s existing world-class
stadiums and venues. Sustainability and fiscal responsibility are core to the
Games Plan. With infrastructure already in place, no new permanent venues are
needed for the Games.Some of the venues for the Paralympic Games include:
 Downtown Sports Park: a range of Para sports including Para swimming,
Para badminton, Para cycling – road, Wheelchair rugby, Boccia, Para
athletics, and Para powerlifting.
 Long Beach Sports Park: Para triathlon.
 South Bay Sports Park: Para cycling – track, Wheelchair tennis, Blind
football.
 Valley Sports Park: Shooting Para sport, Para equestrian.
 Lake Perris: Para canoe and Para rowing.
 LA Stadium: Opening and Closing Ceremonies.