Instituto Superior da Maia

Paralympics Games
Student:
Adrian Vescan Radu Olteanu Daniela Obagila

Teachers:
Maria Helena Carvalho Azevedo Luiz Silva Bastos

INDEX

1.History .....................................................................................................................3 2.International Paralympic Committee ......................................................................5 2.1 Etymology and Symbols ...................................................................................6 2.2 Ceremonies .......................................................................................................7 3.The Romanian Paralympic Committee ...................................................................8 4.The relationship between Paralympics and Olympics ..........................................10 5.The Paralympics and the relation with the Media ................................................11 6.Classification .........................................................................................................12 6.1 Paralympic sports ............................................................................................13 6.1.1 Samples of runs.........................................................................................14 6.1.2 Samples of jumping ..................................................................................14 6.1.3 Samples of throws.....................................................................................15 7. Notable champions and achievements .................................................................16 7.1 Romania ..........................................................................................................16 8. References ............................................................................................................18

The Paralympic Games

The name "Paralympics" comes from the Greek prefix "para-" (in this context, "beside" or "alongside") and "Olympics." "Parallel Olympics" approximates the intended meaning. It has nothing to do with "paralysis" or "paraplegia." Its motto was "Mind, Body, Spirit" from 1994 through 2003, and is now "Spirit in Motion." The Paralympic Games represent a major sport event where athletes with physical disabilities compete (mobility disabilities, amputations, blindness, and cerebral palsy). As in the Olympic Games, there are two sessions: Winter and Summer Paralympics directed by the International Paralympic Committee.

1. History
The Paralympics have come a long way from its humble beginnings as a rehabilitation programme for British war veterans with spinal injuries. Back in 1948, Sir Ludwig Guttman, a neurologist who was working with World War II veterans with spinal injuries at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Aylesbury, began using sport as part of the rehabilitation programmes of his patients. He set up a competition with other hospitals to coincide with the London Olympics in that year. Over the next decade Guttman's care plan was adopted by other spinal injury units in Britain and competition grew. Dr. Guttman wanted to create a competition for people with disabilities similar to the Olympic Games. In 1952, in the same location, Dutch veterans took part alongside the British, creating the first international competition of this kind.

In 1960, the Olympics were held in Rome, and Guttmann brought 400 wheelchair athletes to the Olympic city to compete. The modern Parallel Olympics (or "Paralympics") were born. At the Summer Games, in 1976, were included for the first time athletes with different disabilities, which led to an increasing number of participants (from 400 to 1600) from many countries. A premier for the Paralympics was in 1988, in Seoul, South Korea, when the contests were held right after the Olympic Games and the competitors were provided with the same facilities as those in the Olympics. The usage of the same facilities was then formalized by means of an agreement between the International Paralympic Committee and the International Olympic Committee.In 1976 took place for the first time the Winter Paralympic Games in rnskldsvik, Sweden. The winter edition was held every four years as was the summer edition and as the Olympic Games. Starting from 1994, the Winter Paralympics and Olympics have been held in even numbered years, separate from the Summer Games. It is necessary and worth to mention in which way and how much the Paralympic Games evolved since 1960, not only when it comes to the performance of the participants but also when it comes to the popularity of these Games, popularity that is constantly growing. Furthermore, everybody should know that the Paralympics are not meant to emphasize the disabilities of the competitors, but their capacity in achieving sport and athletic performance.

The popularity of this type of sport did very much grow from the 60s. In the first edition of the Paralympics, in Rome, the number of the participants was 400 and increased up to 3900 competitors from 146 countries, in 2008 in Beijing.

2. International Paralympic Committee

In 1964, was founded an organization dedicated to the improvement of the athletic conditions and opportunities for people with disabilities and the organization was called International Sports Organization for the Disabled (ISOD). This organization is meant to be the equivalent of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and became, in 1982 the International Coordinating Committee of World Sports Organizations for the Disabled (ICC).

The ICC militated in the front of the IOC for the rights of the athletes with disabilities, obtaining as a result the Summer Paralympics from Seoul, in 1988. In addition, the ICC members believed that it was necessary for athletes to be part of the governing stuff, thus in 1989, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) was founded. The International Paralympic Committee is made up of 165 National Paralympic Committees and four disability-specific international sports federations. Its president is Phillip Craven, a former Paralympian from Great Britain. It is IPCs responsibility to organize the Summer and the Winter Paralympic Games, to recognize the media partners and to certify officials and judges. The International Paralympic Committee works together with the International Olympic Committee and, moreover, some of the IPC members are also members of the IOC and participate together at several meetings. Although the relationship between the two committees is a cooperative one, the IPC and IOC remain different, as the Paralympics remain distinct from the Olympics.

2.1 Etymology and Symbols

The etymology of the term Paralympic is not certain, but it is thought to come from the combination of paraplegia (an impairment in motor or sensory function of the lower extremities) and Olympic, but with the inclusion of other disabilities, this explanation became an inappropriate one. With this explanation not being considered as correct, at present, another explanation was found and adopted as being plausible and correct and it states that the name derives from the Greek preposition para ("beside" or "alongside") so that it refers to a competition which takes place in parallel with the Olympic Games.

In 1988, in Seoul, at the Summer Games, the competition was referred to for the first time as the Paralympics. The motto of the Paralympic Games is Spirit in motion, statement that urges to movement, to sports, no matter the physical condition. The symbol for the Paralympics encompasses three colors: red, green and blue (chosen because are considered to be wide spread in most of the nations flags), each color taking the shape of an Agito (which means in Latin I move) and then circling a central point, symbolizing the congregation of athletes from all over the world. The Paralympic hymn is called "Anthem of the Future", written by Thierry Darnis and adopted as an official hymn in March 1996.

2.2 Ceremonies
The opening ceremony starts with the presentation of the flag of the host country and the performance of the national hymn, then there are given representations of music, dance and theatre, all these performances emphasizing as much as possible the culture and the traditions of the host nation. Most of these rituals are performed starting from 1920, from the Olympic Games held in Belgium, in Antwerp. After the artistic part of the ceremony, starts the parade, when the athletes, grouped by nation, come into the stadium. The entrance into the stadium is made alphabetically, with the host nation the last to enter. After all nations have been presented, there are given several speeches for the formal opening of the Games. Finally, the Paralympic torch is brought into the stadium and

passed on until it reaches the final torch carrier, often a Paralympic athlete from the host nation, who lights the Paralympic flame in the stadium's cauldron. The closing ceremony of the Paralympic Games takes place after all competitions have ended. Flag-carriers from all the participant countries enter into the stadium, followed by the athletes who enter together, no matter their nationality. After the entrance into the stadium, the Paralympic flag is taken down and the flag of the country that will host the next Summer or Winter Games is raised and the national anthem of the future host is played. Then, the Games are officially closed and the Paralympic flame is extinguished. Only after performing these rituals, which are compulsory, the future host nation presents itself and presents a few artistic moments to show the most important and significant aspects and elements of its culture. The medal ceremonies are held after the end of every Paralympic competition. After the medals are given by an International Paralympic Committee member, the national flags of the three medalists are raised while the national hymn of the gold medalist's country plays.

3. The Romanian Paralympic Committee

In December 1990 a group of initiative containing members with sport affinity for sport activity of people with disabilities, they set up a group inside of the group of the founding members of Romanian Federation of Handicap Sport(s) as the federation was named at the beginning. The members of this group founded the federation, federation that was set up by the order of Ministry of Youth, functioning inside the Department Sports for All.

In the year 1992 through the will of the Government at that time, Romania was represented at the first Paralimpic Games for the persons with mental handicap, Madrid, Spain, participation that came along with the official state of the Romanian Federation. The participation of our representatives had an extraordinary social impact through the obtaining of 23 medals - 10 gold medals, 6 silver medals, 7 bronze medals on athletics, reduce soccer, swimming, table tennis. The year 2001 came along with reglementation of the juridical state of our federation. Through the application of the 69/2000 low, our federation along with others national sport federations, became a juridical person with private rights and public utility. Also at that time the name had change into the name that exist in the present - ROMANIAN SPORT FEDERATION FOR DISABLED PEOPLE.

4.The relationship between Paralympics and Olympics

In 2001, both International Olympic Committee and International Paralympic Committee, signed an agreement according to which the host cities take the responsibility to manage both Olympic and Paralympic Games. This agreement is valid until the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, but it will be extended to 2014 Winter Olympics and 2016 Summer Olympic Games. The International Olympic Committee wanted to show that both Olympic and Paralympic athletes are equal and stated: The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practicing sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play....Any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement.

Furthermore, the two Committees do not allow any kind of discrimination on the basis of political, religious, economic, disability, gender, sexual orientation or racial reasons. The wish to emphasize that the athletes with disabilities are just as much entitled to compete as are the athletes without disabilities went that far that in 1984, at the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, an athlete from New Zealand, Neroli Fairhall, was allowed to compete. Taking the example of Neroli Fairhall, in 2008, the African sprinter Oscar Pistorius, tried to qualify for the 2008 Summer Olympics, but he missed his qualification time by 0.70 seconds. In addition, the athlete had to deal with several protests coming from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), which suspected Pistorius of having certain advantages in comparison to the other competitors.

5.The Paralympics and the relation with the Media

Since 1984, the Olympic Games gain constantly more and more presence and attention from the media. Unfortunately, not the same thing can be said about the Paralympic Games. In 1976, the Paralympics were broadcasted for the first time, but only taped parts of the transmission and just to one nation or region. In 1992, the Summer Paralympics transmission progressed and was broadcasted in all Europe and there were 45 live hours of coverage. Other countries broadcasted highlight packages during the Games. Until 2000 Summer Paralympics from Sydney, no important improvement occurred. The 2000 Paralympics came with a notable improvement regarding the transmission of the Games. A deal was reached between the Sydney Paralympic Organizing Committee (SPOC) and All Media Sports (AMS) to broadcast the Games internationally. In what concerns Asian, South

American, and European broadcast companies, several deals have been made so that the Games would be transmitted in as many areas as possible and also as many hours as possible. The Games were also webcast for the first time. Due to all these efforts, the Sydney Paralympics gained a 300 million people audience. Despite the efforts made by Australians to spread medias attention upon the Paralympic Games, at the Winter edition of the 2010 Games, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) covered minimally the transmission as opposed to 2010 Olympic Games. Then, BBC announced that they will post on the website one hour highlights from the Paralympics, but only after the Olympic competitions ended. The explanation from the BBC was that budget constraints and the "time zone factor" necessitated a limited broadcast schedule.

6.Classification

Obviously not all disabled people are the same so having them all compete in the same events wouldn't be fair. So the organisers have split the athletes into six separate categories, although some of them do differ slightly from sport to sport: Amputee-This includes athletes who have at least one major joint in a limb missing, for example the elbow, wrist, knee or ankle. Some amputees compete as wheelchair athletes depending on the sport. Cerebral palsy -This is a disorder of movement and posture due to damage to an area, or areas, of the brain that control and coordinate muscle tone, reflexes, posture and movement. Cerebral means brain-centred and palsy is a lack of muscle control.

Intellectual disability - A person with an intellectual disability must have functioning limitations in two or more skill areas. These are communication, self-care, home living, social skills, community use, self-direction, health and safety, functional academics, leisure and work. Competitors must also have acquired their condition before age 18. At the moment elite athletes with intellectual disabilities are only allowed to compete at the Paralympic Games in exhibition events. Wheelchair -Generally athletes compete in this category if they have at least a 10% loss of function in their lower limbs. Common conditions include traumatic paraplegia and quadriplegia, spina bifida, poliomyelitis, amputees, cerebral palsy and all non ambulant les autres athletes. Vision impaired-Athletes come under this classification if they have any condition which interferes with 'normal' vision. This incorporates the entire range of vision difficulties from correctable conditions through to total blindness. Les Autres This French term for 'the others' is used to describe athletes with a range of conditions, such as dwarfism, that don't fit into the traditional classification systems of the established disability groups. Within these six disability categories athletes are then grouped according to their differing level of impairment.

6.1 Paralympic sports

Archery, athletics , boccia, bowls , cycling, equestrian , football 5-a-Side, football 7-a-Side, goalball, judo, powerlifting , sailing, shooting, swimming, table tennis , volleyball, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair dance sport , wheelchair fencing , wheelchair rugby , wheelchair tennis.

6.1.1 Samples of runs

Samples encountered in runs in athletics competitions include: 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 5000m, Samples of "runs" in wheelchair consist of 50m, 100m and a slalom race in which competitors have to go around some obstacles, which highlight their power and ability that can handle trolley. Samples of the athletics competition for blind runners are 50m, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 5000m, 10000m (M), and in some occasions, cross country. At the speed they use guide wires stretched 100m along the track without support. Alternatively for their guidance, you can use the sound that is made by a judge to arrive to guide the direction blind athlete. Long distance runner may be accompanied by a partner running beside or ride bicycles in front of him and gives clues about auditory status dull and obstacles. Guides must wear an orange vest to be distinguished from competitors. At the Paralympics competitors and their guides must use home-block sites. When jogging is used for the physical condition of those who can not provide too much effort, contact teacher / coach to determine distance and speed can be jogging. Athletes with a visual disability that practice may be accompanied by a jogging partner, and if available, will replace jogging with physical activity.

6.1.2 Samples of jumping

The most popular athletic jumping evidence for Paralympics competitions are long jump and high jump, but

in addition they can be inserted and triple test. Participant blind man with one leg can perform high jump and long jump without momentum. It also can run and triple paralympics all without Greek. Blind participant performing the high jump stands in the place of release (next bar) balancing the foot back and forth and attack to get momentum, then perform the separation over the bar. The paralympic with one leg perform the same movement, foot tapping the attack except to take his momentum. Participants cant use one or both arms, jumping style must change in height to compensate for arms role in maintaining balance in flight.

6.1.3 Samples of throws

Weight throw, disc throw and spear throwing competition are the main evidence that disabled people can participate.Athletes in wheelchairs can participate in all three samples mentioned. Each participant must adjust their throwing style based on individual capabilities. If the trunk is possible when handling the paralympic twisting of the trunk can be used to generate a greater force in throwing, otherwise disposal must be done only with arm and shoulder. In samples of throws carts must be firmly fixed so as not to tip over. Blind people can participate in samples of throws with little change. In the sample of throwing spear, participants must reduce elk a few steps away not to exceed the regular line; the paralympics can throw spear and without enthusiasm.From beginning to end movement should be right throwing action continues.

7. Notable champions and achievements

Trischa Zorn of the United States is the most decorated Paralympian in history. She competed in the blind swimming events and won a total of 55 medals, 41 of which are gold. Her Paralympic career spanned 24 years from 1980 to 2004. She was also an alternate on the 1980 American Olympic swim team, but did not go to the Olympics due to a boycott by the United States and several of its allies. Ragnhild Myklebust of Norway holds the record for the most medals ever won at the Winter Paralympic Games. Competing in a variety of events in 1988, 1992, 1994 and 2002, she won a total of 22 medals, of which 17 were gold. After winning five gold medals at the 2002 Games she retired at the age of 58. Neroli Fairhall, a paraplegic archer from New Zealand, was the first paraplegic competitor, and the first Paralympian, to participate in the Olympic Games, when she competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. She placed thirty-fourth in the Olympic archery competition, and won a Paralympic gold medal in the same event.

7.1 Romania

Even that the principal purpose of FRSPH is not obtaining performances, is remarkable that since 1992 the sportsmen with different disabilities, representing Romania at international competitions, obtained remarkable results.

8. References

1. Gilbert, Keith; Schantz, Otto J. (2008). The Paralympic Games: Empowerment or Side Show, New York, United States 2. DePauw, Karen P.; Gavron, Susan J. (2005). Disability Sport. Champaign, United States: Human Kinetics 3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paralympic_Games#Ceremonies 4. http://www.npc.org.ro/en/istoric.html