Paralympics: when they were born, history, curiosities and the wait for Paris 2024
Everything you need to know about the competition born thanks to the intuition of Sir Ludwig Guttmann in 1948. A sporting event that changed the world, breaking down the barriers between Olympic and Paralympic athletes
There are just a few hours left until the start of Paralympics, an extraordinary sporting event that over the years has redefined the very concept of sport and inclusion. But how did we get here? What is the story of this competition which will be hosted in the magnificent setting of Paris?
The history of the Paralympics begins in 1948, thanks to the intuition of the neurosurgeon Sir Ludwig Guttmann. In an era marked by the deep wounds of the Second World War, Guttmann organized the first games for war veterans suffering from spinal injuries in Stoke Mandeville, in England. The event, initially known as the "Stoke Mandeville Games", represented much more than just a sporting competition: it was a powerful symbol of rebirth and resilience for those who, until that moment, had been marginalized by society.
From that first event, in which only 16 athletes participated, a global movement was born. In the 1960, the Stoke Mandeville Games moved to Rome and they transformed into the first official Paralympics, involving around 400 athletes from 23 countries. It was the beginning of a revolution that would lead the Paralympics to become one of the most followed sporting events in the world.
Since their birth, the central element has undoubtedly been the strong desire to break down every barrier between Paralympic and Olympic athletes. This inclusive spirit is also reflected in the similarities that the two events share today. Since London 2012, the organization of the Paralympics and the Olympics has become unitary, with a single Olympic torch and an identical logo for both events.
The choice to symbolically unify these two events was strongly desired by International Olympic Committee (IOC) and from International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to highlight the importance of equality in sport. There are no "second-class games" and Paralympic athletes are rightly recognized as true champions like their Olympic colleagues.
The Paris 2024 Paralympics promise to be an unprecedented event. With an expected participation of more than that 4.400 athletes from more than 160 nations, they will be the most inclusive and spectacular ever. Each competition will be a hymn to determination and fortitude, characteristics that define true champions.
Paris, a city symbol of art, culture and freedom, will be the ideal stage for celebrate the Paralympic spirit. For the first time in history, the opening ceremony will be held on one of the most iconic streets in the world: the Champs-Élysées. This marks a further step forward in the visibility and dignity of the Paralympics, equated in all respects to the Olympics.
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