The Paralympic Games
Since 1960, the Paralympic Games have been challenging notions of disability with pioneering Paralympians paving the way for more to follow, resulting in broader participation in sport.
A need for athletic inclusion
1.3bn people globally are living with a disability today. As a result, they are 62% less likely to participate in sport, making it more challenging to live healthy, active lives.
First amputee swimmer to compete at the Olympic Games
Natalie du Toit
In 2001, South African swimmer Natalie du Toit lost her leg in a car accident. Four years later, she became the first ever amputee swimmer to compete at the Olympic Games Beijing 2008 and placed 16th out of 25 in marathon swimming. Two weeks later, she went on to win 5 gold medals at the Paralympic Games.
From 400 athletes at Rome 1960 to 4,400 at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
First Paralympian to outpace the Olympic gold medalist
Abdellatif Baka
At the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, Abdellatif Baka, a visually impaired middle-distance runner, not only broke the 1500m T13 world record, but ran it 1.71 seconds faster than the Olympic gold medallist who ran on the same track just a few weeks prior – a feat never achieved before.
Following the London 2012 Paralympic Games, 20 million UK residents changed their attitudes towards people with a disability.
We’re tracking humanity’s progress from the world’s greatest stage
You can help up spread the impact
Share this first
