Development of the Paralympic Games

This article explores the evolution of the Paralympic Games as an elite sporting event. The article first traces the evidence for sport practiced by disabled people prior to the first Paralympic Games. The origin of the Paralympic Games is then explained before key landmarks in the development of the event are articulated. The evidence suggests the first Paralympic Games took place in 1960, growing from 328 athletes from 21 nations across eight sports to 4,400 athletes from 168 national delegations across 22 sports at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. Challenges facing the Paralympic Games are considered, including the application and implementation of the classification system for athletes in their respective sport, cheating among Paralympic athletes, the use of technology to assist performance, the organisation and delivery of the Paralympic Games, and the social impact of the event for everyday disabled people. Finally, areas for future research are suggested, particularly the essence of the relationship between the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and the continued dissemination of Paralympic sport across the globe. The growth of the Paralympic Games has been significant but there are challenges for the Paralympic Movement to navigate as part of its future development.