Paralympics AND INDIAN WINNERS IN 2024

 

HISTORY OF PARALYMPICS

The Paralympics is a global sporting event that celebrates the athletic prowess of athletes with disabilities.

First held in Rome in 1960, the Paralympic Games are now a prominent fixture in the world of sports, occurring every four years and alternating with the Summer and Winter Olympics.

The inception of the Paralympics can be traced back to 1948, when Sir Ludwig Guttmann, a neurologist, organized a sports competition for World War II veterans with spinal cord injuries.

The basis for the existing Paralympic movement was set by this event, which was held at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in the UK. The games grew from these humble beginnings to become a major international event, with athletes from around the world competing in a wide array of sports.

The Paralympics showcase a diverse range of sports, many of which are adapted versions of Olympic disciplines. Events include wheelchair basketball, para-athletics, para-swimming, and sitting volleyball, among others.

Each sport is modified to accommodate various types of disabilities, ensuring that the games are inclusive and competitive. For instance, in wheelchair basketball, the rules closely mirror those of able-bodied basketball, but with adjustments to account for the use of wheelchairs.

The Paralympics’ emphasis on overcoming barriers and enhancing human potential is one of its key features.
Athletes in the Paralympics compete not just against each other, but against the limitations imposed by their disabilities.

Their achievements highlight resilience, determination, and the spirit of competition. The games also promote greater awareness and understanding of disability issues, contributing to a more inclusive society.

The Paralympic Games are governed by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), which works to ensure that the events are held with the highest standards of fairness and organization. The IPC also promotes the Paralympic values of courage, determination, inspiration, and equality.

In recent years, the visibility and media coverage of the Paralympics have increased, helping to bring greater recognition to the athletes and the challenges they overcome. The games not only inspire those with disabilities but also challenge societal perceptions of ability and normalcy.

By celebrating the extraordinary achievements of athletes with disabilities, the Paralympics exemplify the power of sports to unite and elevate the human spirit.

 

Medal Winners from India in Multiple Paralympic Games

 

Women’s shooting champion Avani Lekhara: 3 (2 Gold, 1 Bronze)
Mariyappan Thangavelu males high leap: 3 (1 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze).
Men’s javelin sumit antil: 2 Gold
Manish Narwal: 2 (Gold & Silver) (shooting)
Men’s badminton Suhas Yathiraj: 2 (Silver)
Yogesh Kathuniya: 2 (Silver) in men’s discus
Men’s high jumper Nishad Kumar: 2 (Silver)
Sharad Kumar: 2 (Bronze and Silver) in athletics
Sundar Singh Gurjar: 2 (Bronze) in athletics

 

Difference between Paralympics and Olympics

 

The Olympics and the Paralympics are both major international multi-sport events, but they have different focuses and objectives:

1. **Athletes:**
– **Olympics:** The Olympics are for athletes without disabilities. They feature a wide range of sports, including traditional and new events, with competitors from around the world.
– **Paralympics:** The Paralympics are specifically for athletes with disabilities. These encompass athletes with intellectual obstacles, problems with vision, and physical impairments.

2. **Sports and Events:**
– **Olympics:** The sports included in the Olympics are typically those that have been historically popular and are often contested by athletes across the globe. Examples include athletics, swimming, gymnastics, and team sports like soccer and basketball.

– **Paralympics:** The Paralympics feature sports that are adapted to accommodate different types of disabilities. Many Paralympic sports are similar to Olympic sports but with modifications (e.g., wheelchair basketball, para swimming, and para athletics). Some sports are unique to the Paralympics, like para-canoeing or goalball.

3. **Classification:**
– **Olympics:** Athletes compete based on weight, gender, and other criteria relevant to the sport.
– **Paralympics:** Athletes are classified based on the type and extent of their disabilities to ensure fair competition. Classification helps to level the playing field by grouping athletes with similar functional abilities.

4. **Scheduling:**
– **Olympics:** The Summer and Winter Olympics are held every four years, with the Summer and Winter Games alternating every two years.
– **Paralympics:** The Summer and Winter Paralympics are held shortly after their Olympic counterparts, usually within a few weeks, also on a four-year cycle.

5. **Organizing Committees:**
– **Olympics:** The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is responsible for organizing the Olympic Games.
– **Paralympics:** The Paralympic Games are administered by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

Both events celebrate athletic achievement and promote inclusivity and understanding, but they cater to different groups of athletes and have unique goals and structures.

Stay tuned for more updates…