Paralympic Games 2008

Now that the Summer Olympics are over for yet another four years, with all the medals being handed out and the athletes have now returned home to their respective hero's welcome, let's not forget that the Paralympics are still about to be held. They will run from September 6th to the 17th in Beijing, as well. These athletes deserve as much recognition, praise and glory for their athletic abilities and achievements and should not be overlooked, just because the excitement of the Olympic Games has come and gone.

This will be the 13th Summer Paralympics. They began in 1960 (which were then known as the Stoke Mandeville Games, and were held in Athens), but only started being held in conjunction with the Olympic Games in the year 1988. It is now officially practiced, that each hosting country of the Olympics, will also host the Paralympic Games, preceded by both Summer and Winter Olympics.

Of course, it only makes good sense, being the venues are already in place when a country hosts the Olympics. What better way for a country to make use of the facilities and venues, at great expense to each country in constructing such venues. It only seems appropriate to host the Paralympics immediately after as well.

Just as with the Summer Games, the Paralympics will commence with a parade of nations. There will be 145 countries represented, with approximately 4000 athletes vying for the medals. Several countries will be competing for the first time, which should make this a very exciting Paralympic year. There will be more countries to cheer on, and more countries to take pride in their athletes. The competition should be fierce.

There will be twenty sports represented at these Olympics. They will include archery, athletics, boccia (also referred to as bocci ball), cycling, equestrian, football, goalball, judo, power lifting, rowing, sailing, shooting, swimming, table tennis, volleyball, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair fencing, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair tennis.

So, be sure to have your TV's turned on and tuned into the games. For a listing of each scheduled event, click on http://en.paralympic.beijing2008.cn/schedules/index.shtml , the official site for the Paralympics.

A Bit Of Paralympic History

When the idea of holding an Olympic event for the disabled was first conceived in 1948, it was a way for injured war veterans to display their sporting capabilities. In 1952, Holland took part in the games, and thus a great idea was born to make this an international event.

In 1996, the games started including athletes with "intellectual" disabilities as well. However, due to cheating by one particular country, during the 2000 Paralympics (that being, they sent athletes who were neither physically nor "intellectually" challenged, giving them a possible advantage at winning medals), this group of athletes were then excluded.

Because it seems extremely unfair that the entire world should be punished for one country's indiscretional behaviour, these athletes were then reinstated to the 2004 Olympics.Unfortunately, these athletes are still not able to contend in the medal standings. The IPC is still debating the issue and will make their final decision during these 2008 Paralympic Games.

We can only hope that there will in fact be a reinstatement, as these athletes have every right to participate. It allows them to be encouraged to participate in sports and offers them pride in their accomplishments.

*note: the word Paralympic is derived from the Greek word "para" which translated means, alongside or beside, which makes even more sense that both the Olympic Games and Paralympics should be held in conjunction with one another.

Don't forget to mark September 6th to the 17th on your calendar!