How a neurosurgeon's ingenuity led to the modern Paralympics

The Paralympic Games, a remarkable celebration of athleticism and perseverance, originated from an initiative to rehabilitate World War II veterans.

The movement began in 1948 at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, located near London, where German neurologist Sir Ludwig Guttmann sought to enhance the rehabilitation process for his paraplegic patients.

Guttmann, who was treating veterans with spinal cord injuries, organised sports competitions that coincided with the London Olympics. These early events initially intended for rehabilitation, unintentionally set the stage for what would later become a global sporting phenomenon.

In 1952, the International Stoke Mandeville Games were inaugurated, featuring teams from Britain and the Netherlands.

This marked the beginning of what would evolve into an international competition, with subsequent Games expanding to include more nations and athletes.

By 1954, the Games saw the participation of 14 countries, primarily involving athletes with spinal cord injuries, and by 1955, 18 countries and 200 athletes participated.

The first significant milestone came in 1960 when the ninth International Stoke Mandeville Games were held in Rome.

This event is recognized as the first official Paralympic Games, held just days after the Rome Olympics.

It attracted 23 nations and 400 athletes competing in wheelchair sports including basketball, athletics, and swimming.

Paralympic Games

The term "Paralympic Games" was officially used and approved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) starting with the 1984 Games.

Prior to that, from 1960 to 1980, the Games were officially known as the "International Stoke Mandeville Games."

The Paralympic Games continued to grow in scope and significance over the following decades.

The 1964 Tokyo Games introduced new sports such as para powerlifting and wheelchair racing, although athletes had to use regular wheelchairs rather than specialized models.

The 1968 Games, held in Tel Aviv due to logistical issues in Mexico City, saw the debut of women’s wheelchair basketball and new events like the 100m wheelchair race.

In 1972, the Games in Heidelberg, Germany, saw an important shift due to the inclusion of amputee athletes and the establishment of sport-specific committees, paving the way for future classification systems for different disabilities.

The 1976 Toronto Games witnessed another historic development with athletes with visual impairments and amputees participating. New sports such as goalball and expanded wheelchair racing distances were added to the Games roaster.

Additionally, the first Winter Paralympics were held in Ornskoldsvik, Sweden, in 1976.

The 1980 Arnhem Games introduced athletes with cerebral palsy and new sports like sitting volleyball.

The 1984 Games, held in New York and Stoke Mandeville, marked the establishment of classification systems for various disabilities.

The 1988 Seoul Games were significant for being held in the same city as the Olympics and featured standout performances, including Mustapha Badid’s dominance in wheelchair racing.

A landmark moment came with the founding of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) in 1989, which helped to formalize and consolidate the Paralympic movement.

The 1992 Barcelona Games were historic for their extensive media coverage and the introduction of new sports like wheelchair tennis.

The 1996 Atlanta Games included athletes with intellectual impairments, showcasing a broader spectrum of abilities.

Sydney 2000 saw the debut of wheelchair rugby and drew a record audience of 300 million viewers.

An important agreement between the IOC and IPC in 2001 ensured that future Paralympic Games would be held immediately following the Olympics, using the same venues and facilities.

The Athens 2004 Games featured a shared organizing committee with the Olympics. It also saw the introduction of new sports like hand cycling.

Beijing 2008 added para-rowing to the programme and achieved unprecedented media coverage, reaching 3.8 billion viewers.

The London 2012 Games set new standards with 4,237 athletes and record ticket sales, reigniting public interest and media coverage.

The introduction of events for athletes with intellectual impairments marked a return to inclusivity.

The Rio 2016 Games, the first held in South America, saw the addition of para canoeing and para-triathlon and were the most widely covered Paralympics in history.

The most recent Paralympic Games, Tokyo 2021, introduced para-badminton and para-taekwondo, continuing the tradition of expanding the programme and enhancing global visibility.