Paralympic Games (Meaning and Explanation)

We explain what the Paralympic Games are, their origin, categories and characteristics. Also, differences with the Olympic Games.

What are the Paralympic Games?

The Paralympic Games are the largest international competition in the world for athletes with disabilities. Like the regular Olympic Games, the Paralympic Games take place every 4 years in a different city in the world and sports delegations of different nationalities gather to compete in various disciplines over a couple of weeks.

These international competitions are organized by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), a body based in Bonn, Germany, and which cooperates closely with the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The details of the ceremony, the execution of the games and other important details are included in the Paralympic Charter.

For their part, Paralympic athletes are sports professionals grouped into ten categories according to their specific disability, called “disability layers”:

Muscle power layer. It refers to different levels of muscle weakness or slowness, either in the entire body or in part, such as polio, spina bifida, or spinal cord injuries.
Passive range of motion layer. It refers to congenital conditions of systematically reduced movement in one or more body joints.
Layer of loss or deficiency of a limb. It refers to the lack or dysfunction of a body extremity, as in the case of amputations and malformations.
short cape. Refers to height deficiency due to musculoskeletal deficit, dwarfism or other similar conditions.
Hypertonia layer. It refers to the abnormal tension of the body's muscles, which prevents their natural relaxation, as a consequence of congenital conditions such as cerebral palsy.
Ataxia layer. It refers to the loss of muscle coordination in cases of cerebral palsy, Friedreich's ataxia and other similar conditions.
Athetosis layer. It refers to conditions of loss of body balance, involuntary muscle movements and problems maintaining a symmetrical posture, a consequence of conditions such as cerebral palsy or choreoathetosis.
Visual Disadvantage Layer. It refers to the total or partial loss of vision, so athletes in this category compete together with specialized guides.
Intellectual Disadvantage Layer. It refers to conditions of high or severe cognitive or intellectual disability.

Features of the Paralympic Games

paralympic games features guides — Some Paralympic disciplines involve guides for the blind.

In general, the Paralympic Games are characterized by the following:

They are similar to the Olympic Games, but dedicated to athletes with severe disabilities of various kinds. They receive gold, silver and bronze medals depending on their sporting performance.
cover a total of 25 sports disciplines which vary depending on whether it is summer or winter. These disciplines are specifically designed to be practiced by athletes with disabilities, which is why they often involve wheelchairs, guides for the blind, and other necessary elements.
Athletes compete in 10 categories depending on the type of disability they present.
are organized by the International Paralympic Committee based in Bonn, Germany.
have as their symbol a logo based on the Tae-Geuks a traditional Korean emblem similar to the one that appears on its flag, which combined the colors red, blue and green. Later, this logo was stylized and in 2003 its current image was approved.
are celebrated every 4 years in a different city. At the beginning of each edition the Paralympic Anthem (“Hymn of the Future”) composed by Thierry Darnis and approved by the International Paralympic Committee in 1996 is played.

Origin of the Paralympic Games

paralympic games origin history — The Paralympic Games seek to promote sport for people with disabilities.

The Paralympic Games are heirs of initiatives born in the mid-20th century and that sought to promote sport for people with disabilities, such as the International Sports Organization of the Disabled, founded in 1964. This organization sought to become an equivalent of the IOC that organizes the International Olympic Games.

Modalities of the Paralympic Games

paralympic games modalities — In each type of the Paralympic Games, specific sports are practiced.

The Paralympic Games have two modalities or editions, just like the regular Olympics: a summer edition and a winter edition. Depending on which one it is, some sports or others are practiced.

In the Summer Paralympic Games,: athletics, badminton, wheelchair basketball, boccia, cycling, wheelchair fencing, 5-a-side football, goalball, weightlifting, horse riding, judo, swimming, taekwondo, rowing, canoeing, wheelchair rugby, table tennis , wheelchair tennis, archery, Olympic shooting, triathlon and sitting volleyball.
At the Paralympic Winter Games,: biathlon, wheelchair curling, alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, ice hockey and snowboarding.

Difference between Olympic Games and Paralympic Games

olympic paralympic games differences — The Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games have the same venue.

The difference between the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games has to do with the athletes who compete in each. The Paralympic Games are designed for those sports professionals who suffer from some type of disability severe, and which have not traditionally been represented in Olympic competitions.