Paralympics
noun - The Paralympic Games is a major international multi-sport event, involving athletes with a range of physical disabilities, including impaired muscle power (e.g. paraplegia and quadriplegia, muscular dystrophy, Post-polio syndrome, spina bifida), impaired passive range of movement, limb deficiency (e.g. amputation or dysmelia), leg length difference, short stature, hypertonia, ataxia, athetosis, vision impairment and intellectual impairment.
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Types
There are Winter Paralympic Games and the 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).
History
The Paralympics has grown from a small gathering of British World War II veterans in 1948 to become one of the largest international sporting events by the early 21st century. Paralympians strive for equal treatment with non-disabled Olympic athletes, but there is a large funding gap between Olympic and Paralympic athletes.
Founded in 1989, IPC is based in Bonn, Germany and aims to develop sports opportunities for all people with an impairment from the beginner to elite level. It employs more than 70 people from 20 countries and is composed of a General Assembly (highest decision making body), a Governing Board (executive body), a Management Team and various Standing Committees and Councils.
Governance
The IPC is the global governing body of the Paralympic Movement. Its purpose is to organise the summer and winter Paralympic Games and act as the International Federation for nine sports, supervising and coordinating World Championships and other competitions. It is the governing body for the Paralympic Games. The governing organization for paralympics in the U.S.A. is U.S.A. Paralympics.
Vision
The vision of the IPC is ‘To enable para-athletes to achieve sporting excellence and inspire and excite the world.’
Aspiration
To make for a more inclusive society for people with an impairment through para-sport.
International Organizations
National Paralympic Committees have been created for nations in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania.
Paralympic Values
- Courage: Para-athletes through their performances showcase to the world what can be achieved when testing your body to its absolute limits.
- Determination: Para-athletes have a unique strength of character that combines mental toughness, physical ability and outstanding agility to produce sporting performances that regularly redefine the boundaries of possibility.
- Inspiration: As role models, para-athletes maximize their abilities, thus empowering and exciting others to participate in sport.
- Equality: Through sport para-athletes challenge stereotypes and transform attitudes, helping to increase inclusion by breaking down social barriers and discrimination towards people with an impairment.
