Cover Malaysian track Para athlete Abdul Latif Romly broke the world record three times in a single day at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympics.
Malaysian track Para athlete Abdul Latif Romly broke the world record three times in a single day at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympics.
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Here are some milestones and highlights from past Paralympics Games to help you appreciate this multi-faceted event
The Paralympic Games, a showcase of the talent and determination of athletes with disabilities, has become one of the most celebrated sporting events in the world. Held after the Summer Olympics, the event not only highlights athletic excellence but also serves as a powerful platform for accessibility, inclusion and equality. As 4,400 Paralympians make their mark in Paris in this year’s games, they also amplify the voices of the over one billion people worldwide living with disabilities.
Below, we explore some of the highlights and milestones of the Paralympic Games, tracing its history and impact throughout the decades.
Also read: Asia’s Paralympic athletes exemplify the unyielding power of the human spirit
The first Paralympic Games in Rome
In 1948, Dr Ludwig Guttmann organised the Stoke Mandeville Games in London, with 16 injured veterans participating in archery. The first competition for wheelchair athletes soon included participants from other countries and more sporting events, before evolving into the Paralympic Games.
In 1960, the first Paralympics was held in Rome, featuring 400 Para athletes from 23 countries competing in eight sports, including archery, athletics, basketball, dartchery, fencing, snooker, swimming and table tennis. At the opening ceremony, Dr Ludwig Guttman, founder of the Paralympic Games, said, “This sport movement has a greater meaning: it is a source of hope for thousands of people whose life has been shaken by illnesses and injuries.”
More sports added to the Paralympics
Held in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden in 1976, the first Winter Paralympic Games not only introduced new sports such as skiing, slalom and ice sledge racing, but also included athletes with disabilities beyond those who used wheelchairs. In succeeding Games, more winter sports were added, including ice sledge hockey, snowboarding and curling, and in recent years, taekwondo, badminton and canoeing were included in the programme, allowing for greater inclusivity in the Games.
The Paralympic and Olympic Games
In 1988, the Paralympic Games and the Olympic Games were held in Seoul, South Korea, marking the first time the two events were held in the same city. The historic Games saw 3,042 Para athletes from 60 countries participate in 18 sports. These sportsmen also broke 971 world and 156 Paralympic records, with vision-impaired US swimmer Trishca Zorn setting nine world records and winning 12 gold medals.
Notably, 75,000 people were present for the Opening Ceremony, while more than 2,000 media personnel covered the Games, proving that the integration of the Olympics and Paralympics helps increase the visibility of disabled athletes.
Great feats by Asian Para athletes
Asian Para athletes, some of whom are part of Asia’s Most Influential list, have achieved great feats in the Games: Singaporean swimmer Yip Pin Xiu is a five-time Paralympic gold medallist, who most recently defended her 100m and 50m backstroke wins in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics; Bonnie Bunyau Gustin won Malaysia’s first Paralympic gold in powerlifting at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics; and Malaysian track athlete Abdul Latif Romly broke the world record three times in a single day at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympics.
Paris 2024 Paralympics prioritises inclusion
The 2024 Paralympic Games leads by example, prioritising accessibility and inclusion for participants and spectators through several initiatives. Paris invested €1.5 billion to enhance its infrastructure, including public transportation improvements, ensuring that bus stops and tram services are accessible. For the visually impaired, sound modules have been installed in traffic lights, allowing them to broadcast a message at the push of a button. Six sports facilities, including the Georges Vallerey Swimming Pool and the Pierre de Coubertin Stadium, also received accessibility updates.
Beyond the Games, the city has also invested in 17 Hyperaccessible Neighbourhoods, where people can access services like schools, transportation and public services, all within 15 minutes.
