Paralympic Committee of India

Paralympic Movement

Understanding the meaning, concept and development of Para Sport.

01

The Word "Para" and "Paralympics"

The Greek word "Para" has meanings such as beside, alongside, parallel, near, altered or modified. In the context of sport, it is used to express the idea of being "alongside and parallel".

The word "Paralympic" combines "Para" and "Olympic", illustrating that the Paralympic Games exist alongside the Olympic Games as parallel sporting movements.

02

The Concept of Para Sports

Para Sport has developed from rehabilitation and adapted physical activity into competitive sport at the highest international level.

Changes in rehabilitation science, public policy, technology, training, education and social attitudes have created greater opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in sport.

Adapted sports can contribute to physical, mental, social and emotional well-being and help athletes participate more actively in society.

                
                    The Paralympic Movement demonstrates how opportunities in sport
                    can support inclusion, rehabilitation, confidence and sporting
                    excellence for athletes with disabilities.

Historical Review of the Paralympic Games

From rehabilitation sport to a worldwide sporting movement.

1888

Early Roots

A sport club for deaf athletes was established in Berlin, representing an early example of organized sport for athletes with an impairment.

1945

Dr. Ludwig Guttmann

Dr. Ludwig Guttmann began using modified games and sporting activities as part of rehabilitation for wheelchair users and amputees at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in England.

1948

Stoke Mandeville Games

On 29 July 1948, coinciding with the opening ceremony of the London Olympic Games, the first Stoke Mandeville Games were organized for wheelchair athletes.

16 injured servicemen and women Archery

1952

International Stoke Mandeville Games

Dutch ex-servicemen joined the movement and the International Stoke Mandeville Games were established.

1960

First Paralympic Games

The 9th Annual International Stoke Mandeville Games were held in Rome following the Olympic Games. More than 400 athletes from 23 countries competed in eight sports. These Games are recognized as the first Paralympic Games.

1964

ISOD Established

The International Sport Organisation for the Disabled was formed to provide opportunities for athletes who could not participate through the existing Stoke Mandeville structure.

1976

Winter Paralympic Games

Sweden hosted the first Winter Paralympic Games, beginning the Winter Paralympic tradition.

1982

International Coordination

Several international disability sport organizations created the International Co-ordinating Committee Sports for the Disabled in the World (ICC).

1989

International Paralympic Committee

On 22 September 1989, the International Paralympic Committee was founded in Düsseldorf, Germany, as the global governing body of the Paralympic Movement.

1988

Olympic and Paralympic Partnership

Beginning with Seoul 1988, the Paralympic Games were held in the same city and venues as the Olympic Games.

1992

Winter Games Partnership

The same-city arrangement was extended to the Winter Games beginning with Albertville 1992.

2018

Partnership Renewed

The partnership between the IOC and IPC was renewed through 2032.

International Paralympic Committee

The global governing body of the Paralympic Movement.

International Paralympic Committee (IPC)

The IPC is a non-profit, athlete-centered sports organization for athletes with disabilities. It consists of an elected Governing Board, Management Team, Standing Committees and Councils.

                        Vision:

                        “To make an inclusive world through Para Sport.”

                        Mission:

                        To lead the Paralympic Movement, oversee the delivery of the
                        Paralympic Games and support members so that Para Athletes can
                        achieve sporting excellence.
                    

The IPC brings together National Paralympic Committees, International Federations, Regional Organizations and International Organizations of Sport for the Disabled.

National Paralympic Committees International Federations Regional Organizations IOSDs

Paralympic Committee of India

Development and governance of Paralympic Sport in India.

1992

The Physically Handicapped Sports Federation of India was formed by Mr. M. Mahadeva, an Arjuna Awardee and Paralympian.

PCI

The organization was subsequently renamed the Paralympic Committee of India and became the governing body for Paralympic Sport in India.

Development

PCI promotes and develops Paralympic Sports with the support of National Sports Federations and State Paralympic Associations affiliated with it.

Head Office

Delhi

Registered Office

Bangalore, Karnataka

India's Paralympic Journey

Important milestones and medal-winning performances by Indian Para Athletes.

1968

India's Paralympic Debut

India made its Summer Paralympic debut at the Games held in Tel Aviv, Israel.

1972

🥇

Murlikant Petkar

Murlikant Petkar won India's first Paralympic gold medal in the 50m freestyle swimming event and set a world record time of 37.331 seconds.

1984

🥈🥉

Joginder Singh Bedi

Won silver in Men's Shot Put and bronze medals in Discus and Javelin. Bhimrao Kesarkar also won silver in Javelin.

2004

🥇🥉

Athens Paralympics

Devendra Jhajharia won gold in Javelin Throw, while Rajinder Singh won bronze in Powerlifting in the 56kg category.

2012

🥈

H. N. Girisha

H. N. Girisha won the silver medal in Men's High Jump at the London Paralympic Games.

2016

🏅

Rio Paralympics

India sent 19 competitors in five sports and won two gold, one silver and one bronze medal.

4

Medals at Rio 2016

2 Gold • 1 Silver • 1 Bronze

Historic Performances at Rio 2016

🥇 Devendra Jhajharia
Gold in Javelin Throw. He improved his previous world record with a throw of 63.97m.
🥇 Mariyappan Thangavelu
Gold in Men's High Jump with a performance of 1.89m.
🥈 Deepa Malik
Silver in Women's Shot Put, becoming India's first woman to win a Paralympic medal.
🥉 Varun Singh Bhati
Bronze in Men's High Jump with a personal best of 1.86m.

Selected Indian Paralympic Milestones

Year	Games	Athlete	Sport / Event	Medal
1972	Heidelberg	Murlikant Petkar	50m Freestyle	Gold
1984	New York	Joginder Singh Bedi	Shot Put	Silver
1984	New York	Bhimrao Kesarkar	Javelin	Silver
2004	Athens	Devendra Jhajharia	Javelin Throw	Gold
2012	London	H. N. Girisha	High Jump	Silver
2016	Rio	Mariyappan Thangavelu	High Jump	Gold
2016	Rio	Deepa Malik	Shot Put	Silver
2016	Rio	Varun Singh Bhati	High Jump	Bronze

Recognition & Awards

Indian Para Athletes and coaches have received numerous national and state-level honours.

2 Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awards

5 Padma Shri Awards

28 Arjuna Awards

4 Dronacharya Awards

2 Dhyan Chand Awards Numerous State Awards

Sport, Inclusion and Excellence

The Paralympic Movement has evolved from rehabilitation-based sporting activity into a major international sporting movement. The continuing achievements of Indian Para Athletes demonstrate the important role of opportunity, training, determination and sporting participation.

Back to Index