Paralympic Games

 The word Paralympic is more than just the Games for people with disabilities. The Paralympic Games brings change to the way we view people as a whole. These athletes are showing that nothing will hold them back, no matter how difficult things may be. The Paralympics became the second largest multi-sporting event, and the largest sporting event in history for those with disabilities. The value that the word "Paralympic" has, is so significant. It took a lot for the disabled community to get where they are today, and to continue advocating so that they could get the equal rights that they so greatly deserve. These athletes compete two weeks after the Olympics Games in the same venue to determine who will come home with the gold for their country. 

Injured service members were initially expected to live two years according to those in the Ministry of Pensions Hospital, until they began moving around and playing sports, as requested by the Director of the National Spinal Injuries Unit, Dr. Ludwig Guttman. In order to be a healthy human being, you needed to focus on you physical and mental well-being. From there, wheelchair archery is where it all began. Eventually, the first Games for persons with disabilities is what grew to become The Paralympic Games. The strength and courage that it took to finally get sports available for the disabled community was remarkable. Though, the event was to show their talents and passion for their sport, they were not being represented monetarily compared to those in The Olympic Games. Olympic Gold Medalists would make approximately $38,000, whereas Paralympic Gold Medalists only made about $8,000. In 2018, the value of those who are involved in The Paralympic Games drastically increased by 400%. Again, although it was never about money, and they were content with the life changing opportunities that were coming about, it was devaluing that worth of these Paralympic athletes. When reflecting on the word Paralympic, the first thought that comes to my mind is strong. Not only strong physically, but strong mentally and emotionally. The competitors do not let their impairments withhold them from being the best athlete that they can possibly be, while representing their country.

Before learning about what the word "Paralympic" meant, I truly had no idea. I had always just attributed The Paralympic Games to persons with disabilities, who were competing amongst each other like those in The Olympic Games. With that being said, I had no idea what "para" stood for in Paralympic. Now, I understand that "para" means "beside or alongside" the Olympics. The Paralympic Games had athletes divided up into five impairment groups: spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, amputees, blind and visually impaired, and intellectually disabled athletes.   

 

The concept of the "parallel games" is to ensure that The Paralympic Games is to be followed shortly after The Olympic Games. It also bridged the two Games together, showing that they are all athletes who are determined to win for their country. The common goal that both the Paralympic and Olympic athletes share is the love and passion for their sport that cannot be broken.  This concept was first brought about by Dr. Ludwig Guttman in 1948, where he had planned for the two events to take place during the Summer Olympic Games in London. I feel that with Dr. Guttman's focus on including those with disabilities into their version of the Olympics, has allowed people to see that people with disabilities are just as capable of competing in intense sporting events as able-bodied people. 

Pictures:

https://www.ebu.ch/files/live/sites/ebu/files/News/2017/10/Para%20Pic.jpg

https://www.paralympic.org/sites/default/files/styles/large_original/public/2021-07/Tokyo%202020%20emblem.jpg?itok=DhWTk-Lr

https://www.wessexscene.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Lucy-Wheller-Parr-Paralympics.jpg