The Paralympic Movement: Addition by Subtraction

John A. Nyland

DOI: 10.2519/jospt.2009.0112

Olympic style games for athletes with a disability were organized for the first time in Rome, Italy, in 1960. This event is now referred to as the Paralympic Games. It includes elite athletes primarily from 5 different disability groups, including amputation, cerebral palsy, visual impairment, spinal cord injuries, and "les autres" (individuals with physical disabilities that do not fit into the other groups). The Paralympic movement emphasizes athletic achievement rather than disability. The author of this editorial describes his experience working with the United States Paralympic Archery and Judo Teams at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, China, in 2008.

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2009;39(4):243-245. doi:10.2519/jospt.2009.0112

KEY WORDS: 2008 Paralympic Games, archery, disability

The author of this editorial describes his experience working with the United States Paralympic Archery and Judo Teams at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, China, in 2008.

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