All About
The Paralympic
Games
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Paralympic Games
What Are the Paralumpic Games?
The Paralympic Games are the second largest sporting event
in the world, conceding top honors only to the Olympics.
The multi-sport competition showcases the talents and abilities
of the world's most elite athletes with physical disabilities. The
Games feature 21 sports, 18 of which are also contested in the
Olympics.
The first Paralympics were held in 1960 in Rome, Italy. Only 400
athletes from 23 countries participated. It wasn't until the 1988
Paralympics in Seoul, Korea, that the modern-day practice of
the Olympic-host nation also hosted the Paralympic Games.
Today more than 4,000 athletes from 120 countries participate in
the Summer Paralympics, while more than 1,100 athletes from 36
countries compete in the Winter Paralympic Games. After this
summer's Summer Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece the
next Winter Paralympics will be in Torino, Italy in 2006 and the
next summer games will be in Beijing, China in 2008.
Who Can Participate in the Paralympic Games?
Participants in the Paralympic Games must meet eligibility standards
established through the International Paralympic Committee.
Disability groups represented include amputees, blind or visually
impaired athletes, athletes with cerebral palsy, athletes with spinal
cord injuries and athletes who are affected by a range of other
disabilities that do not fall into the aforementioned categories,
such as multiple sclerosis or dwarfism.
Winter Paralympic Sports
Alpine Skiing
Curling
Nordic Skiing
Sled Hockey
Summer Paralympic Sports
Archery
Men's Basketball
Women's Basketball
Boccia
Cycling
Equestrian
Fencing
Men's Goalball
Women's Goalball
Judo
Powerlifting
Rugby
Sailing
Shooting
Soccer
Swimming
Table Tennis
Tennis
Track & Field
Men's Volleyball
Women's Volleyball
http://www.usparalympics.org/312.htm
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