Origins and History of Beijing 2022 Paralympics

Have you ever wondered how the Paralympics started?

After the end of the Second World War, a large number of injured soldiers tried to return to skiing activities. As ski enthusiasts, they did not want their physical disabilities to stand in the way. One early pioneer was Sepp Zwicknagl from Austria. After losing his legs to a grenade explosion in the war, he experimented with making his own skis and became a ski instructor in Tyrol, Austria. Zwicknagl continued to make innovative skiing equipment for disabled people and founded a division of the Austrian Ski Association for skiers with disabilities. Thanks to his initiative, equipment specially designed and manufactured for people with disabilities went into mass production and became readily accessible. From 21 to 28 February 1976, the first Paralympic Winter Games was held in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden. Since the Winter Games in Albertville, France, in 1992, the Paralympics have taken place in the same cities and venues as the Olympics after a decision by the International Olympic Committee.

In 2022, Beijing will host the 13th Paralympic Winter Games. The event will feature 78 events in 6 sports, a record in Paralympic history. Beijing is committed to staging an international, wellorganised, caring and barrierfree Games that meets Olympic standards.

Through competing in the Paralympic Games, many athletes find new worlds, avenues to realise their dreams and new ways of life. Each act of sporting spirit reflects a strong and never-yielding spirit and provides proof that competitors are not defined by physical restraints. This is the Paralympic spirit, and it seeks to inspire respect and understanding and help ordinary people draw strength.

In a larger sense, hosting the Paralympic Winter Games can foster universal respect, care and support for the cause of people with disabilities. As an integral part of the competition, the Games celebrates human values, the meaning of life and sporting spirit. Hosting the Games will do much for building an inclusive society.

Copyright: the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022– A Celebration on Ice and Snow, translated by Xing Yutang