Spirit in Motion
The 2024 Paralympic Games are fast approaching, and we here at Modern Mobility wanted to celebrate the occasion by looking back on the history of the games, focusing on the success of Team GB throughout the years. Every four years, the Paralympics reminds us of the power of the indomitable human spirit, and that disabled people can not only still participate in physical activities, but triumph in their chosen sports.
Physically disabled Paralympians competing on the world stage often could not partake in the games without their mobility aids or specialist equipment. Powerchairs, active wheelchairs, rehabilitation tools – All of these items make competing a possibility for so many athletes, and they also make independent living a possibility for many of our customers.
The Paralympic Games
In 1948, the Stoke Mandeville Hospital held their first ‘International Wheelchair Games‘. Developed by Sir Ludwig Guttman, the games coincided with that year’s London Summer Olympics and were developed to help the Hospital’s WWII veteran residents rehabilitate their mental health as well as their physical health post-war. The participants consisted of 16 veterans with spinal cord injuries competing in wheelchair archery and netball.
The games developed from this point, and in 1952 the first Stoke Mandeville Games saw veteran teams from the Netherlands compete alongside British teams. From this point on, the games became an annual fixture.
Just two years later, by 1954, 14 countries were involved, with most competing athletes hailing from hospitals or rehabilitation centres that adopted Guttman’s approach to using sports to enhance physical therapy.
The 1960 games were considered the ‘first’ Paralympic Games. Hosted in Rome, 5,000 people attend to watch the 400 athletes from 23 countries compete in an expanding array of sport events.
For the first time in 1988 the Paralympics were held at the same site as the Olympic Games, in Seoul, Republic of Korea. The next year in 1989 the Paralympic Committee was founded.
Britain at the Paralympics
Team GB has competed in every official summer and winter Paralympics since the games’ inception. As a nation, we’ve won 670 gold medals, 635 silver medals, and 649 medals, bringing home 1,954 medals total and ranking second worldwide.
Dame Sarah Joanne Storey, DBE, swimmer and cyclist, holds the most medals of all Team GB Paralympians, with 28 medals including 17 golds. The most decorated British Paralympian of all time, Storey will be competing again in the 2024 Paris games.
2024 Team GB
The 2024 Paris Paralympics will see 213 Team GB athletes competing, with the games running from 28th August to 8th September with 22 sports and 549 events.
Our athletes will this year compete in events for Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Boccia, Cycling, Equestrian, Judo, Paracanoeing, Paratriathlon, Powerlifting, Rowing, Shooting, Swimming, Table tennis, Taekwondo, Wheelchair basketball, Wheelchair fencing, Wheelchair rugby, and Wheelchair tennis.
Opportunities
Feeling inspired by the Paralympics? There are lots of amazing clubs and groups across the country where disabled athletes can find community and training. If you’re interested, here are some options in our local communities across the country.
Blackburn
For our Blackburn customer community, Creative Football meets every Friday at Witton Country Park 3G on Preston Old Road.
Chorley
The Black Belt Foundation is open 7 days a week, with a commitment to “physical, social, and psychological inclusion”.
1a Queens Road, Chorley, PR7 1JU
Leicester
Ellesmere College hosts the Special Olympics Leicestershire & Rutland Basketball Club and Leicester Sharp Basketball Club, both inclusive of people with physical and mental disabilities.
Leicester Wheels for All provides cycling sessions for people of all needs and ability.
If basketball or cycling aren’t your thing, Leicester in the Community hosts Powerchair Football sessions. Modern Mobility has previously provided free powerchairs for use by the players.
Clitheroe
Limitless Clarets offers free sessions for SEN/Disabled young people aged 5 to 18 in football, climbing, multi-sports, sensory, and wheelchair sport sessions across East Lancashire.
Helping You Reach Your Goals
Unlocking your potential can be as simple as finding the right mobility solution for you; but how do you find that ideal fit? Whether your goal is to pursue sports or live independently as a disabled person, we are here to help.
Family values delivered the modern way – That’s what we do.
Experience our first class customer service and let our friendly experts help you find the right powerchair, mobility scooter, wheelchair, or mobility solution to suit your needs.
Contact us to start your journey to independent living or stop by one of our branches. We have stores in Chorley, Clitheroe, Blackburn, and Leicester.
