7 Paralympic Games

Paralympic Games written by Julie Ellis photographs by Lieven Coudenys

Many men were disabled in the Second World War. Some couldn't move their legs. It wasn't easy for them to push themselves around in wheelchairs. A doctor thought that wheelchair sports might teach the men how to use their wheelchairs. They could also become strong while having fun. In 1948, the first Wheelchair Games were played in England, at the same time as the London Olympic Games. There were two teams with sixteen players. Now there are thousands of wheelchair athletes from countries all over the world.

In 1960, the first Paralympic Games were held in Rome, Italy. There were more than four hundred wheelchair athletes from twenty-three countries. At those Games, the most important thing wasn't to win, but to take part. More and more people with other disabilities thought they would also like to play sports. By 1976, there were athletes with six different disabilities at the Paralympics in Canada. They competed against athletes with the same disabilities so that everyone had a fair chance.

Now Paralympic Games are held every other year, with both Summer and Winter Paralympics. They follow right after the Olympic Games in the same place, with an Olympic torch and flags. Men and women from more than one hundred and thirty countries compete in many of the same sports. There are some outstanding athletes who take part in both the Winter and Summer Games.

Every country chooses its best athletes to send to these special games. The athletes work hard to be chosen, and they feel proud to wear their country's team uniform. People from eleven to sixty-six years old have competed in the Paralympic Games. For most athletes, it is not enough just to take part. They really want to win a medal for their own country. First prize is a gold medal, silver is for second prize, and third place wins a bronze medal.

There are only four sports at the Winter Paralympics. The most popular sport is ice sled hockey, which is a fast team sport for strong players. Each team has six players who sit in sleds. They race across the ice using special sticks to push the puck into the goal net. Many people like to watch this fast, exciting game.