Page 11 - Summer 2020

T he COVID-19 pandemic has drastically

altered the schedules of sports teams and

individual athletes this year. At the top
of that list for many is the 2020 Tokyo

Summer Olympic Games originally
scheduled for later this summer. As of

now, the Olympics have been rescheduled to 2021.
Tokyo also was preparing to host the 2020 Summer

Paralympic Games two weeks later, which as of now

are scheduled for August 24–September 5, 2021.

The Paralympics has its origins in the than spinal cord injuries, including those
parasport movement which began in World with amputations and visual impairment/
War II. With the invention of penicillin blindness. In 1980, cerebral palsy
1
and improved evacuation techniques, athletes were included. In 1988, the local
1
returning war veterans with spinal cord organizing committee in Seoul, South
injuries were able to have life spans similar Korea, committed, for the first time, to
to able-bodied peers. As a result of the holding the Olympic and Paralympic
1
improved life spans and a desire to return Games consecutively using the same
these veterans to normal life, rehabilitation venue and athletes’ village, and this has
become very important. 1 been the standard in subsequent Games. 1
Dr. Ludwig Guttman helped open a In 1996 and 2000, athletes with
spinal injuries center at Stoke Mandeville intellectual impairment were included. 1
Hospital in 1944, and the center held Finally, in 2000 at the Sydney Games,
sports-related activities to help with the International Paralympic Committee
rehabilitation. Then in 1948, Dr. Guttman and International Olympic Committee
1
hosted a small archery competition Presidents discussed an official agreement
which occurred on the same day as the between the two committees confirming
open ceremonies for the London 1948 the Paralympic Games would always take
Olympic Games. This led to the first place following the Olympic Games using
1
International Stoke Mandeville Games the same venues and facilities, and this
in 1952. Eventually, in 1960, these Games agreement was signed in 2001. 1
1
moved to Rome, which was also hosting The present Summer Paralympics
the Summer Olympic Games, and the includes 22 to 23 sports with multiple
9th Stoke International Stoke Mandeville classifications for competition including
Games were ultimately referred to as the spinal cord impairment, visual
first Paralympic Games. 1 impairment, cerebral palsy, amputees,
In 1976, the International Stoke intellectual impairment, and Les Autres
Mandeville Games were called the (locomotor disabilities not included in the
Torontolympiad for the Physically Disabled, other classifications). As Paralympic
2,3
because for the first time the Games sports are becoming much more popular
included athletes with disabilities other and higher profile, it is important for

Summer 2020, Issue 3 | sportsmed.org 9 