Parasports

Parasports are organized athletic competitions for people with disabilities. These disabilities can be physical, mental, permanent, or temporary. Some parasports are adapted versions of existing non-disabled sports. Other sports are created specifically for people with disabilities and have no non-disabled equivalent. The term "parasports" is a portmanteau of the words "paraplegic" and "sports."

These activities help remove social stigma and teach society about disability. They provide a way for athletes to find joy, pride, and togetherness through competition.

To ensure fairness, competitive parasports use a system of disability sport classifications. This mechanism allows people with varying levels of ability to face similar opposition. Without these categories, competition would not be equitable. Classification ensures that the focus remains on athletic skill. It helps group athletes based on how their disability affects their performance. This structure is essential for maintaining the integrity of professional competition.

Organized parasports are divided into three broad disability groups. The first group is for deaf athletes. They participate in the Deaflympics, which are governed by the CISS. These games address special communication needs and social interaction. The second group is for people with intellectual disabilities. This group includes the Special Olympics and the INAS-FID. The Special Olympics focuses on a "sport for all" participative approach. In contrast, the INAS-FID supports elite, high-level competition.

The third group focuses on people with physical disabilities. This group has a long and complex history. Organized sport for physical disabilities existed as early as 1911. That year, the "Cripples Olympiad" was held in the U.S.A. A Welsh athlete named Walter William Francis won championships there. Following the Second World War, sport became a key part of rehabilitation. Sir Ludwig Guttmann pioneered this approach at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in England. In 1948, he organized a competition for wheelchair athletes. This event was the origin of the Stoke Mandeville Games.

These historical games eventually evolved into the modern Paralympic Games. The first official Paralympic Games were held in Rome in 1960. These games were also the 9th International Stoke Mandeville Games. In 1952, the term "international" was added after Dutch service personnel participated. The Paralympics expanded significantly over the following decades. In 1975, the games included athletes with limb amputations and visual impairments. By 1980, individuals with cerebral palsy were also allowed to compete. Since 1988, the Paralympics have been staged immediately following the Olympic Games.

Many organizations today provide massive support for these athletes. Disabled Sports USA serves more than 60,000 wounded warriors, youth, and adults annually. In the United States, the National Sports Center for the Disabled has 19 certified instructors. They also rely on more than 1,000 volunteers to function. Some athletes even participate in extreme sports through the Extremity Games. This event, formed in 2006, includes skateboarding, surfing, and mountain biking.

Other specialized sports include powerchair football for motorized wheelchair users.

Parasports also connect to broader movements regarding social inclusion. Since the late 1980s, many countries have worked to include disabled athletes in non-disabled systems. The Commonwealth Games became fully inclusive in 2002. At the Manchester Games, athletes became full members of their national teams. Some individual athletes, like Natalie du Toit, have competed as equals against able-bodied athletes. This integration helps foster greater interest in disability sports globally. It challenges the world to see athletes based on their skill and determination.