This paper deals with the history and development of the Paralympic Games from their small beginnings as a competition for disabled ex-servicemen and women in England founded shortly after the Second World War to the present international festival of Summer and Winter Games organized in conjunction with the Olympic Games. Furthermore, the development of the term "Paralympic" will be explained and some major issues within the Paralympic Movement will to be shown.
The Paralympic Games are a modern-day sporting phenomenon that has grown from a small archery demonstration event many years ago to the second largest multi-sport festival on the planet after the Olympic Games. These Games for athletes with disabilities have played a major role in changing attitudes towards disability and accelerating the agenda for inclusion.
The Games trace their origins to the work of Dr Ludwig Guttmann at the National Spinal Injuries Unit at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Buckinghamshire who used sport as an integral part of the treatment of paraplegic patients. The first competition for wheelchair athletes, named the Stoke Mandeville Games, was organized by him on the day of the Opening Ceremony of the London Olympic Games in 1948. These Games later became the Paralympic Games, which first took place in Italy in 1960.
The Paralympic Games are the Olympic Games for athletes with disabilities and are nowadays organized by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). In the beginning, only paraplegic athletes were allowed to participate, but this has changed in the past years. Blind, visually impaired, amputees and athletes with other disabilities are also allowed to participate in the games. To be able to evaluate the athletes fairly, they are divided into so-called damage classes.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- History and Development of the Paralympic Games
- Disability sport prior to the 1940s
- Impact of World War II on disability sport
- Development of the Stoke Mandeville Games
- The birth of the Paralympic Games
- The Winter Paralympic Games
- The term "Paralympic"
- Issues within the Paralympic Movement
- Cultural or Sport Event?
- Classification
- Doping
- Boosting
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to trace the history and development of the Paralympic Games, from its humble beginnings as a competition for disabled veterans in post-World War II England to its current status as a major international multi-sport event. It also explores the evolution of the term "Paralympic" and examines key issues within the Paralympic Movement.
- The historical development of the Paralympic Games.
- The impact of World War II on the rise of disability sport.
- The evolution of the term "Paralympic."
- Key challenges and issues facing the Paralympic Movement.
- The role of sport in the rehabilitation and social inclusion of people with disabilities.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: The introduction establishes the Paralympic Games as a significant modern sporting event, highlighting their growth and impact on attitudes toward disability and inclusion. It traces the origins of the Games to the work of Dr. Ludwig Guttmann at Stoke Mandeville Hospital and the first Stoke Mandeville Games in 1948, emphasizing the evolution from a competition for paraplegic athletes to a global event encompassing various disabilities. The introduction lays the groundwork for exploring the history, development, and current challenges of the Paralympic Movement.
History and Development of the Paralympic Games: This chapter delves into the historical context of the Paralympic Games, acknowledging the limited historical documentation compared to the Olympics. It discusses the scarcity of organized disability sports before World War II, mentioning early examples like the British Society of One-Armed Golfers. The chapter then focuses on the significant impact of World War II, particularly the increased survival rate of spinal cord injuries due to advancements in medicine, leading to a need for new rehabilitation approaches. It highlights Dr. Ludwig Guttmann's pivotal role in incorporating sport into the rehabilitation process at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, emphasizing the therapeutic and societal benefits of this approach.
The term "Paralympic": [This section would contain a summary of the chapter explaining the origin and evolution of the term "Paralympic". Since the provided text does not contain this information, a placeholder is used.]
Issues within the Paralympic Movement: This chapter would explore various challenges and controversies within the Paralympic Movement. The provided text mentions classification, doping, and the question of whether the games should be considered primarily a cultural or sporting event. A full summary would require more information to explain these issues in detail and discuss their impact on the overall movement.
Keywords
Paralympic Games, disability sport, history, World War II, Ludwig Guttmann, Stoke Mandeville Games, rehabilitation, inclusion, classification, doping, Paralympic Movement.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of the Paralympic Games
What is this document about?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of a text analyzing the history, development, and key issues of the Paralympic Games. It includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What topics are covered in the Table of Contents?
The table of contents covers an introduction, the history and development of the Paralympic Games (including sections on disability sport before the 1940s, the impact of World War II, the Stoke Mandeville Games, the birth of the Paralympics, and the Winter Paralympics), the origin of the term "Paralympic," and key issues within the Paralympic Movement (such as classification, doping, and the cultural/sporting event debate). It concludes with a summary section.
What are the main objectives and key themes of the text?
The text aims to trace the history of the Paralympic Games from its origins to its current status as a major international event. It also explores the evolution of the term "Paralympic" and examines significant challenges facing the Paralympic Movement. Key themes include the historical development of the Games, the impact of World War II, the evolution of the term "Paralympic," key challenges within the movement, and the role of sport in rehabilitation and social inclusion.
What does the introduction cover?
The introduction establishes the significance of the Paralympic Games as a modern sporting event and highlights their impact on attitudes towards disability and inclusion. It traces the origins back to Dr. Ludwig Guttmann and the Stoke Mandeville Games, emphasizing the evolution from a competition for paraplegic athletes to a global event.
What is discussed in the chapter on the history and development of the Paralympic Games?
This chapter delves into the historical context, acknowledging limited historical documentation before World War II. It discusses the impact of the war on increasing spinal cord injuries and the subsequent need for new rehabilitation approaches. It highlights Dr. Ludwig Guttmann's role in incorporating sport into rehabilitation at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.
What does the section on "The term 'Paralympic'" cover?
This section's summary is not provided in the preview, but it would detail the origin and evolution of the term "Paralympic."
What issues within the Paralympic Movement are discussed?
The preview mentions classification, doping, and the debate about whether the games are primarily a cultural or sporting event. A complete discussion would provide details on these issues and their impact.
What are the keywords associated with this text?
The keywords are: Paralympic Games, disability sport, history, World War II, Ludwig Guttmann, Stoke Mandeville Games, rehabilitation, inclusion, classification, doping, and Paralympic Movement.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2020, History and Development of the Paralympic Games. Issues within the Paralympic Movement, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/991374
