As improbable as it may seem, it all started in 1948, within the walls of a military hospital north of London. The survivors of World War II were staying there in large numbers. Under the guidance of Sir Ludwig Guttmann, these maimed men found themselves at the center of a rather special rehabilitation program.
The neurologist, visionary and ambitious, devised sports events for them to regain control of their bodies and learn to live with their disabilities. Thus, from their wheelchairs, the veterans competed in a contest that combined archery and "netball," a variant of basketball. Unbeknownst to them, the neurologist had just created the first version of the Paralympic Games in the garden of that health facility.
The Paralympic Emblem
Unlike the Olympics, which are represented by the five colored rings, the Paralympics have their own emblem: three red, blue, and green commas. This distinctive symbol has a name: Agitos, which means "I move" in Latin. It represents movement but also a fraternity without borders.
A Special Ball in Goalball
Among the anecdotes about the Paralympic Games, this one might surprise you. In goalball, players with visual impairments can locate the ball by its sound and thus direct their strike more effectively. Indeed, the ball does not contain only air. It also has bells inside that ring when the ball rolls. These help guide the athletes' kicks and make playing this blindfolded game more manageable. However, often the loud cheers of the audience drown out this small auditory signal. Even if you strain your ears, you need to be on the field to hope to hear this sound.
Sitting Volleyball
In sitting volleyball, athletes play directly on the floor and move only with their arms. When they enter the field, they leave their wheelchairs aside and sit down. The court is adapted accordingly, with smaller dimensions. The net is lower than usual so that the ball can reach the other side. As a result, the rallies are much faster and more intense. It is also more physical. Watching this 6-a-side match on your TV may make your head spin.
Medals with Braille Inscriptions
You probably know that the Olympic medals of this Paris edition contain a piece of the Eiffel Tower at their core. But the medals awarded to the Paralympic sports stars are slightly different. Both feature a common side with a reminder of the Iron Lady. On the other side, however, the Paralympic medal displays the Eiffel Tower in a low-angle view rather than the famous goddess Nike. The words "Paris 2024" are inscribed in Braille, readable by touch. On their edge, the medals also bear "I" for gold, "II" for silver, and "III" for bronze. This is probably one of the lesser-known anecdotes about the Paralympic Games.
Classification of Athletes According to Their Level of Disability
During the Paralympic events, you will not see visually impaired runners competing against those in wheelchairs. The same goes for table tennis, where players with intellectual disabilities are separated from those with mobility impairments. To avoid any form of unfairness and ensure equitable events, athletes are classified according to their level of disability.
No Prosthetics in Para-Swimming
Among the anecdotes about the Paralympic Games is this unique rule. In para-swimming, amputee athletes must shed their "substitute" limbs and enter the pool without any aids. They are not allowed to swim with an arm or leg extension and must remove their prosthesis before the dreaded "beep" sounds. However, they are not required to start from the block and can position themselves in the water if their disability prevents them from standing. Swimmers with visual impairments are "guided" by an assistant who indicates when to turn with a pole.
Wheelchair Rugby is a Mixed Sport
While the only mixed event in the Olympics takes place in an equestrian arena, the Paralympics feature a mixed-gender sport on the wheelchair rugby court. Men and women engage in an explosive duel, with chairs constantly crashing into each other. It's almost more brutal than traditional rugby. This sport, which originated in Canada in the 1970s, combines elements of basketball, rugby, and handball.
Visually Impaired Runners are Tethered to a Guide
Visually impaired or blind runners are not left to their own devices on the track. At the risk of running off course… They are connected to a guide with a strap worn on the arm or hand. These assistants act as "scouts," helping them stay on the right path and directing them in their lanes. However, the runner must cross the finish line first. If their assistant reaches it before them, even by the tip of a shoe, they incur a penalty. This is one of the most unusual anecdotes from the Paralympic Games.
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