Sporting events for athletes with impairments have existed for more than 100 years, some of the first sport clubs for the deaf were recorded in 1888 in Berlin.
On 29 July 1948, the day of the Opening Ceremony of the London 1948 Olympic Games, Dr. Guttmann organised the first competition for wheelchair athletes which he named the Stoke Mandeville Games, a milestone in Paralympics history.
(Dr Guttmann was a German-born British neurologist who established the Paralympic Games in England. The Jewish doctor, who had fled Nazi Germany just before the start of the Second World War, is considered to be one of the founding fathers of organised physical activities for people with a disability.)
The first Paralympic Games were held in Rome, Italy in 1960 and featured 400 athletes from 23 countries. In 1976 Örnsköldsvik, Sweden staged the first Paralympic Winter Games. The Games are now the second biggest sporting event in the world.
You can catch the Rio Paralympics action on Channel 4 from the 7th of September to the 18th of September.
Enjoy 19 hours of action each day!
So how is it looking for Great Britain at Rio?
Beijing 2008 : 102 medals
London 2012 : 120 medals
Rio 2016 : (some estimates place the medal count at 121)
Rio 2016 British hopefuls include: John Cavanagh for archery, David Weir for athletics, David Smith and Nigel Murray for Boccia (Latin for ball), Sarah Storey for cycling, Ellie Simmonds and Ollie Hynd for swimming and many many more.
Good luck to all the British athletes at this years games the whole Putnams team will be cheering you on.
Did you know we make custom support and cushioning pads for wheelchair users particularly for sport application. Click here for more information.
