PARALYMPIC GAMES Meaning and
Definition
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The Paralympic Games refer to a major international sports event specifically designed for athletes with physical disabilities. It serves as a parallel sports competition to the Olympic Games and holds equal importance. The Paralympics aim to provide a platform for athletes with impairments to showcase their athletic ability and compete at the highest level on a global stage.
The Paralympic Games encompass a wide range of sports disciplines, including athletics, swimming, wheelchair basketball, powerlifting, wheelchair rugby, and many more. Athletes are categorized into different classifications based on the nature and extent of their disabilities to ensure fair competition and equal opportunities for all participants. The Paralympics emphasize inclusion, diversity, and the celebration of human spirit, promoting the message that physical disabilities do not hinder the pursuit of excellence and achievement.
Originating from the Greek words "para," meaning beside or alongside, and "Olympic," the Paralympic Games share the same values of sporting excellence, friendship, and respect as their Olympic counterpart. The Paralympics have evolved over time, gaining recognition and significance worldwide. The Games not only showcase the incredible skill and determination of Paralympic athletes but also aim to challenge societal perceptions of disability, fostering a more inclusive and equal society for all. The Paralympic Games have become a powerful instrument for advocating and promoting disability rights, inspiring millions of individuals and changing attitudes towards disability across the globe.
Etymology of PARALYMPIC GAMES
The word "Paralympic" is derived from the Greek prefix "para-" meaning "alongside" or "beside", and the word "Olympic" which refers to the ancient Olympic Games held in Olympia, Greece. The term "Paralympic Games" was coined to represent the parallel or alongside sporting event for athletes with disabilities. The first Paralympic Games were held in Rome, Italy in 1960, and the term has been used since then to describe the international multi-sport event for athletes with physical, intellectual, and visual impairments.
