The word “Paralympic“ derives from the Greek preposition “para“ (beside or alongside) and the word “Olympic“.
Its meaning is that the Paralympics are the parallel Games to the Olympics and illustrates how the two movements exist side-by-side.
Whilst the first Paralympic Games were held in 1960, it was not until the summer Paralympic Games in Seoul, Korea in 1988 and the Paralympic Winter Games in Albertville, France in 1992 that the Paralympic Games and Olympic Games truly ran side by side. It was at those Games where both the Olympic and Paralympic Games were held in the same city for the first time. Since then, all Olympic and Paralympic Games have been held in the same city every four years thanks to an agreement between the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
In order to uncover the history of the term “Paralympic“, we need to go back to the founding of the IPC back in September 1989. The IPC was founded as an international non-profit organisation in Dusseldorf, Germany, to act as the global governing body of the Paralympic Movement.
The history of the Paralympic Games
Whilst sport for athletes with impairments has existed for over 100 years, it was not until after World War II that the formation of the Paralympic Games took place.
Following the war, organised sports for athletes with impairments (called today Para athletes) were set up to assist a large number of war veterans and civilians who had been injured during the war.
You can read more about the history of the Paralympic Games in one of our previous posts but here is a brief summary.
Whilst the first Paralympic Games were held in Rome in 1960, the start of the Paralympic Movement dates back much earlier to 1944. Following World War Two, the British Government opened up a spinal injuries centre at Stoke Mandeville Hospital which grew into a rehabilitation centre.
It was in Stoke Mandeville that recreational and then competitive sport evolved and in 1948, Sir Ludwig Guttmann organised the first competitive games for athletes with impairments. As chance would have it, the day of the first competitive games coincided with the Opening Ceremony of the 1948 London Olympic Games.
It was 12 years until the informal Games set up by Dr Guttmann were transformed and the first Paralympic Games were held in Rome in 1960 with 400 athletes from 23 countries.
Jump ahead 64 years to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games and we are counting down to the start of the Paralympics with Para athletes from all over the world, including New Zealand, preparing to head to Paris to compete.
What will the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games hold for Para athletes?
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games are just over a month away and are already starting to capture the imagination and excitement of New Zealanders as team announcements continue to roll out. The team is currently comprised of 23 para athletes at the time of writing with 11 debutants set to make their mark and represent New Zealand for the first time at the Paralympic Games. There is still time for further team announcements so make sure you keep an eye on the Paris 2024 page where all team announcements are made. You can also check out the profiles of all the team heading to Paris along with the support staff who will be helping all our para athletes to perform at their best.
The 549 events at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games – spread across 269 sessions – will be held in awe-inspiring settings: Les Invalides for Para archery; the Champ de Mars, at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, for blind football, Para judo and Wheelchair rugby; and the grounds of the Château de Versailles for Para equestrian. These spectacular surroundings, in addition to a packed competition schedule, will make for a unique experience for everybody involved in the Paralympics.
When possible, the Paralympic events will be held at the same venues as the Olympic events.
The Opening Ceremony will take place along the Champs de Mars and in the Place de la Concorde.
This post was first published on 9 August 2021 last updated on 19 July 2024.
