Paralympics

It is an important international multi-sports event for athletes with a variety of disabilities. It is conducted every two years, almost after the Olympic Games. Majorly, these are two versions of the Paralympic Games: the Winter Games and the Summer Games. These games are conducted by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). The paralympic athletes have a variety of disabilities, including damaged muscle power, hypertonia, ataxia, vision impairment, intellectual impairment, etc.

The Paralympic Games have grown significantly since their inception, and they are now one of the world's largest sporting events. The 2020 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo featured over 4,500 athletes from 163 countries, and the upcoming Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028 Games are expected to be even bigger. The Paralympic Games have a rich history dating back to 1948, when Dr. Guttmann organized the Stoke Mandeville Games for injured servicemen and women. These games, initially featuring archery for 16 participants, marked the beginning of a movement that would culminate in the Paralympic Games we know today.

The first official Paralympic Games were held in Rome in 1960, with 400 athletes from 23 countries competing. The Winter Games were added in 1976, and since 1988, the Paralympics have been held in the same cities and venues as the Olympics, following an agreement between the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The Paralymic games in 2024 will be held in Paris. It is the biggest sporting event ever organized in France.

• Celebrate athletic achievement and serve as an inspiration for the world.
• Inspire inclusion and advocate for opportunity for people with disabilities.

• Muscle power
• Impaired passive range of movement
• Limb deficiency
• Leg length difference
• Short stature
• Hypertonia
• Ataxia
• Athetosis
• Vision impairment
• Intellectual impairment

The Plan divided government expenditure into two. This first started in 1951 however discontinued in 2018.

• Central Body: Under its wing, 176 National Paralympic Committees and four disability-specific international sports federations work together
• Managing the the Paralympics: The Summer and Winter Paralympics, showcasing the incredible athleticism of individuals with disabilities on the world stage.
• Governing major competitions: Overseeing World Championships and other prestigious events for specific Para sports, ensuring fair and consistent competition.
• Supporting sport development: Working with member organizations to grow Para sport participation and inclusivity around the world.
• Advocating for change: Championing the rights and opportunities of people with disabilities both within and outside the sporting arena.

India won a historic total of 19 medals (5 Gold, 8 Silver, 6 Bronze) with Shooter Avani Lekhara becoming the first Indian woman to win a paralympic gold medal. Bhavina Patel in table tennis and Harvinder Singh in archery became the first from India to win a medal in their events.

• Adoption of UNCRDP (2007): India adopted the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRDP).
• RPD Act, 2016: The Right of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPD Act) was passed, emphasizing various rights for persons with disabilities including the ability to participate in sports. Section 30 of RPD Act: Specifies measures to facilitate access, inclusion, and involvement of people with disabilities in sports. It mandates restructuring of courses, curriculum, infrastructure refurbishment, technology expansion, and funding distribution for inclusion of disable people.
• Khelo India Para Games: Began in 2023 aiming to empower para-athletes at the grassroots level, foster their inclusion in sports, and ultimately cultivate future champions for international glory.
• Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS): Financial and infrastructure support is given to 49 para athletes for accommodation, food, and training facilities.
• Scheme of Sports & Games for the Disabled: Aims to increase participation in sports among people with disabilities. Launched in 2009, it provides grants for:
• Coaching and equipment: Supporting schools with sports equipment and coaching costs.
• Coach training: Investing in qualified coaches to train athletes effectively.
• Competitions: Funding district, state, and national level competitions for athletes with disabilities.

• Accessibility: Issues include lack of accessible infrastructure at the grassroots level and insufficient funding to address facility needs.
• Social Barriers: Societal stigma and prejudices towards disability. Women with disabilities face additional hurdles.
• Capacity building: Need for improved training infrastructure and support systems.
• Project execution delays: Challenges in implementing well- meaning initiatives effectively.

The Paralympic Games are a powerful testament to the human spirit's resilience and perseverance. They showcase how individuals with disabilities overcome challenges to achieve extraordinary feats, reminding us that limitations often reside in our minds, not our capabilities. Initiatives like the Khelo India Para Games and financial support programs like TOPS & ‘Scheme of Sports & Games for the Disabled’ are commendable. Their effective implementation, particularly at the grassroots level, is crucial. Stricter enforcement of mandates laid down in the UNCRPD and RPD Act is necessary to change the mindset of people towards paralympic athletes and ensure that they get good infrastructure everywhere. Increased spending on para-sports is essential to address the inequalities of access and foster true inclusivity.