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The first Paralympic Games -

The first official edition was held in 1960 in Rome, Italy. It was known as The Stoke Mandeville Games and featured 400 athletes from 23 countries.

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Its story began years earlier -

The idea for the Paralympic Games was born in 1948 at a military hospital in north London. Neurologist Sir Ludwig Guttmann (center) was trying to find a way to speed up the recovery of his paraplegic patients, who were all World War II veterans. He came up with the idea of organizing a series of sports competitions at the same time as the Olympic Games in London.

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It's always after the Olympic Games -

The Paralympic Games always take place around two weeks after the Olympic Games.

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Only for athletes in wheelchairs -

Originally, the Paralympics were only for athletes who use wheelchairs. However, the official program of the 1976 Paralympics was expanded to include competitors with other forms of disability. 

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Held in the same city -

Since 1988, the Olympic and Paralympic Games have been held in the same city and at the same venues. That year, the Games were held in Seoul, South Korea. 

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Its name -

The prefix para in the word Paralympic means "alongside" in Greek. The idea is that the Paralympic Games exist alongside the Olympic Games.

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The Paralympic symbol -

The symbol of the Paralympic Games is made up of three waves called agitos, which means "I move" in Latin.

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Two unique games -

The Games are an opportunity to discover two sports that exist only at the Paralympic Games: boccia (pictured) and goalball.

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Guides are also awarded medals -

Since the London 2012 Paralympics, the guides (in para-athletics and para-triathlon) and pilots (in para-cycling and para-triathlon) have also been awarded medals.

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The sport's classification system -

To ensure fair and equal competition, each Paralympic sport has its own system of classification. Athletes are classified depending on the impact their impairment has on their sporting performance.

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No prostheses in swimming -

In para-swimming, no prostheses are allowed. Therefore, swimmers compete without the aid of accessories. Para-swimming is also open to athletes with all types of disabilities.

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Disciplines for intellectual disability -

Only three disciplines are open to athletes with an intellectual disability: para-athletics, para-swimming, and para-table tennis. 

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The basketball hoop -

The hoop used in wheelchair basketball is 3.05 meters (10 feet) from the ground, the same height as in the Olympic Games. There's no difference, just skill and dedication. 

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Para archery -

In para archery, athletes who are unable to shoot with a conventional bow may use an assistive device, which reduces the force required to maintain the tension of the bow. Also, those who don't have the use of their arms may shoot with their feet. 

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Modified balls -

The balls used in blind football and goalball are filled with bells, which make a noise when they roll so that the players can locate them.

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Boccia -

Boccia is a Paralympic sport derived from petanque. It's played in wheelchairs by athletes with severe motor impairments.

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Weightlifting at the Paralympics -

Para-powerlifting, performed in the bench press position, is the only form of weightlifting at the Paralympics. Competitors are separated into categories depending on their body weight, not their disability.

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No show jumping -

The equestrian disciplines are represented at the Paralympic Games by para-dressage. There's no show jumping.

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Tennis players are allowed to let the ball bounce twice -

This modification to the rules was introduced because of the specific in-play demands that come with using a wheelchair. A second bounce is always allowed, even if the ball is out when it lands for the second time.

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With or without a guide -

In para-athletics, athletes competing in the T12 (visual impairment) categories may choose to run with or without a guide.

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Sitting volleyball -

In sitting volleyball, players leave their chairs at the side of the court and move around by using their arms.

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Para-triathlon assistance -

In the para-triathlon, athletes with lower limb disabilities receive assistance to get out of the water. They're helped to a pre-transition area before continuing the race.

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Para-rugby -

Different from rugby at the Olympics, wheelchair rugby is played indoors with a round ball.

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The Refugee Team -

Just like at the Olympic Games, there's a Refugee Team at the Paralympic Games. Pictured is Syrian refugee swimmer Ibrahim Al Hussein, who competed at the Rio 2016 Paralympics.

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A helping clap -

In the long jump, athletes with a visual impairment have the aid of a guide, who claps their hands to indicate the direction in which they need to jump.

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The finish line -

In para-athletics, the athlete must always cross the finish line before their guide, and not the other way around.

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Cycling at the Paralympics -

Para cyclists compete on four different types of bicycles: classic bikes, tandems, hand bikes, and tricycles. Visually impaired athletes are able to take part in para-cycling on tandem bikes, with the guide riding at the front.

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Fastened wheelchairs -

In wheelchair fencing, the athletes compete in wheelchairs that are fastened to the floor using a special device. As the competitors can't move forward or backward, they remain very close to their opponents.

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Basketball wheelchairs -

The wheels on basketball wheelchairs are tilted inwards, to provide stability and to make it easier to turn. 

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Paralympics debuts -

Para-badminton and para-taekwondo made their Paralympic debuts at the Tokyo Games in 2021.

Sources: (Olympics) (Paralympic) 

See also: Scandals and controversies at the 2024 Paris Olympics

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