The History of the Paralympic Games
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The Paralympic Games were founded in 1948 by a Sir Ludwig Guttmann. Sir Ludwig Guttmann was a Jewish neurosurgeon who fled Nazi Germany right before the start of World War II. Guttmann first created the games as a competition for British veterans with spinal injuries. The first games were held on the day of the opening ceremonies for the 1948 summer olympics in London, England and were called the wheelchair games. Sir ludwig's goal was to be able to have a competition for disabled people that was equivalent to that of the Olympic Games. In 1952, the games were held in the same location. However, this time, the Dutch joined alongside the British to compete making the games the first international competition for disabled people.
Although there were no specific games before Guttmann, disabled people did compete in the Olympic games as well. prior to the start of the Paralympic games, a German American athlete named George Eyser competed with one artificial leg in the 1904 games. Eyser took part in the gymnastics portion of these games. Another athlete to compete was named Lis Hartel. Hartel had polio, but competed in the equestrian part of the games, winning silver in dressage. In the 1948 and 1952 games, Hungarian athlete Karoly Takacs took part in shooting as a right arm amputee who was able to shoot left handed.
Although there were no specific games before Guttmann, disabled people did compete in the Olympic games as well. prior to the start of the Paralympic games, a German American athlete named George Eyser competed with one artificial leg in the 1904 games. Eyser took part in the gymnastics portion of these games. Another athlete to compete was named Lis Hartel. Hartel had polio, but competed in the equestrian part of the games, winning silver in dressage. In the 1948 and 1952 games, Hungarian athlete Karoly Takacs took part in shooting as a right arm amputee who was able to shoot left handed.
Since the Paralympics were started, boundaries have been broken, dreams have been accomplished and lives have been changed.
On the button on the right, you can find more on the history of the Paralympics as well as specific information on certain games, results from past games, photographs from games and much more. |