What is Paralympics?

Paralympics

About Paralympics

What is Paralympics?

Paralympic Games or Paralympics is an international multi-sport event for athletes with a range of disabilities. The event usually takes place every two years and almost immediately after the Olympic Games. There are two versions of Paralympic games — Winter and Summer Games. All Paralympic Games are managed by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). Athletes who participate have a range of disabilities including impaired muscle power, hypertonia, ataxia, vision impairment, intellectual impairment, etc.

Categories Paralympic athletes compete in

Given the different types of disabilities, there are several categories for the Paralympic athletes to compete in. There are ten eligible impairment types. The categories are muscle power, impaired passive range of movement, limb deficiency, leg length difference, short stature, hypertonia, ataxia, athetosis, vision impairment and intellectual impairment. They are further broken down into different classifications depending on the sport.

Paralympics began for the first time in 1948 with a small gathering of British World War II veterans. Now it has become one of the largest international sporting events with thousands of competitors from 100 countries. Paralympians want equal treatment with non-disabled Olympic athletes but there is a huge gap in funding for Paralympic games compared to Olympic Games.

The first Paralympic Games took place in Rome in 1960. 400 athletes from 23 countries took part in the Games. It was initially open only to athletes in wheelchairs. Later in the 1976 Summer Paralympic Games, athletes with other disabilities were also included.

International Paralympic Committee (IPC)

It is the global governing body of the Paralympic Movement. The body comprises 176 National Paralympic Committees and four disability-specific international sports federations. Currently, the IPC is headed by Brazilian sports administrator and journalist, Andrew Parsons.

The IPC manages the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games. It is also the international federation for 9 sports. It regulates World Championships and other competitions for each of the 9 sports it manages.

Latest Updates on Paralympics

Sports ministry revokes Paralympic Committee of India's suspension

3 min read Last Updated :Mar 06 2024 | 6:28 AM IST
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Paralympic javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia set for political plunge

4 min read Last Updated :Mar 03 2024 | 9:41 AM IST
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IPC rejects sport ministry's suggestion to form ad hoc committee to run PCI

3 min read Last Updated :Feb 15 2024 | 5:57 PM IST
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Sports Ministry suspends Paralympic Committee of India over election delay

3 min read Last Updated :Feb 04 2024 | 7:24 AM IST
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More than 700 para shooters caught in crossfire between PCI and NRAI

5 min read Last Updated :Aug 05 2023 | 5:15 PM IST
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Cindy Hook appointed CEO of 2032 Olympic organising committee in Brisbane

2 min read Last Updated :Dec 13 2022 | 3:43 PM IST
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Paralympic medallist Lekhara receives Para Sports Person of Year award

4 min read Last Updated :Nov 27 2022 | 11:39 PM IST
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In light of Hans Niemann's Chess scandal: 10 cheating scandals in sports

7 min read Last Updated :Oct 05 2022 | 2:27 PM IST
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PM Modi lauds paralympic champion Avani Lekhara on winning 2nd gold

1 min read Last Updated :Jun 12 2022 | 7:12 AM IST
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Para shooting WC: Avani Lekhara wins gold; secures 2024 Paralympics spot

2 min read Last Updated :Jun 08 2022 | 7:15 AM IST
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Para-canoeist Prachi Yadav bags bronze in Paracanoe World Cup in Poland

1 min read Last Updated :May 29 2022 | 11:50 AM IST
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Devendra Jhajharia receives Padma Bhushan, first para athlete to do so

2 min read Last Updated :Mar 21 2022 | 9:53 PM IST
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Russian, Belarusian athletes out of Paralympics in stunning about-face

3 min read Last Updated :Mar 03 2022 | 1:33 PM IST
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My wheelchair is my legs and my family is my backbone: Avani Lekhara

10 min read Last Updated :Jan 28 2022 | 8:39 PM IST
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Hope on horizon for people with disabilities aspiring to be sports stars

9 min read Last Updated :Jan 28 2022 | 5:46 PM IST
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CM Patnaik felicitates para-Olympians for their performance in Tokyo

2 min read Last Updated :Dec 25 2021 | 8:09 AM IST
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OYO names silver-medallist Paralympian Deepa Malik as independent director

2 min read Last Updated :Oct 14 2021 | 12:23 AM IST
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OYO appoints Paralympian Deepa Malik as independent director

2 min read Last Updated :Oct 13 2021 | 3:13 PM IST
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I draw motivation and inspiration from you all: PM to para athletes

4 min read Last Updated :Sep 12 2021 | 3:12 PM IST
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PM Modi hosts India Paralympic contingent, presented with autographed stole

2 min read Last Updated :Sep 09 2021 | 1:46 PM IST
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