Banner image

paralympic games

The first Paralympic Games were held in Rome, Italy in 1960.

The Paralympic Games are the pinnacle globing sporting event for Para athletes, showcasing the very best of Parasport, and providing optimal conditions for a diverse group of Paralympic athletes to achieve excellence.

Attracting millions of spectators and billions of viewers, the Paralympic Games take place every four years. The firstParalympic Games were held in Rome, Italy, in 1960, while the first Paralympic Winter Games were held in Ornskoldsvik, Sweden in 1976.

Following the Seoul 1988 Paralympic Games and the Winter Games in Albertville, France in 1992 the ParalympicGames have been held in the same city and venues as the Olympic Games.

The next Paralympic Games will be held in LA in 2028 followed by Brisbane in 2032.The next winter edition will be staged in Milan and Cortina in 2026 with the French Alps to follow in 2030 and Salt Lake City in2034.

Did you know?

The Paralympic symbol, also known as the Agitos from the Latin meaning “I move”, is the visual representation of the Paralympic Movement. 

It consists of three elements in red, blue and green encircling a central point. The three colours are the most widely represented in national flags around the world.

IPC LOGO

legacy

Rome Legacy

Rome 1960 PARALYMPIC GAMES

Events: 114 In 8 Sports
Countries: 23
Para Athletes: 400
Read More

ORNSKOLDSVIK 1976 PARALYMPIC WINTER

Events: 53 In 2 Sports
Countries: 16
Para Athletes: 198
Read More

FAQ

Dr Ludwig Guttmann pioneered the 1948 Stoke Mandeville Games, which were the first organised competition for wheelchair athletes. They are considered the foundation of the Paralympic Movement and the modern Paralympic Games which first took place in 1960 in Rome, Italy.

The first Paralympic Games were held in Rome, Italy in 1960.

Paris 2024 were the 17th edition of the Paralympic Games while Milano Cortina 2026 will be the 14th edition of the Paralympic Winter Games.

For the LA28 Paralympic Games there will be 23 sports with Para climbing making it Paralympic debut. The Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games will feature six sports.

The Paralympic Games are held every four years.

The Paralympic Games have been held in Brazil, Canada, China, Italy, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Japan, the Netherlands, South Korea, Spain, the UK, and USA.

The Paralympic Winter Games have been held in Austria, China, France, Italy, Japan, Norway, South Korea, Sweden, Russia and USA.