Sport
Continuing our regular series on athletes competing at the Paralympics, we take a look at Paralympic Sailing and medal-winning hopeful, Alexandra Rickham.
What is… Paralympic Sailing?
Paralympic sailing is open to athletes from all physical impairment groups and those with a visual impairment.
This week we take a look at Paralympic Table Tennis and one of the contenders going for Gold!
What is… Paralympic Table Tennis?
Table tennis was introduced as a Paralympian event at the 1960 Games in Rome. Originally open exclusively to wheelchair users, standing players were added to the programme in 1976. The sport blends power and speed with skill and subtly and consequently is one of the most exciting events to watch.
What is… Powerlifting?
The Paralympic sport of powerlifting was introduced at the 1964 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. Women have competed in the sport since 2000. Powerlifting is the ultimate test of upper body strength, with competitors holding, lowering and raising weights on a bar whilst positioned on a bench.
There are ten categories each for male and female competitors, based on body weight. The competitor is given three attempts to lift each weight, and success or failure is signalled through a light system by a panel of three referees.
Are you excited yet? The 2012 Olympics and Paralympics are coming to London, and we can’t wait!
From now until August Dancing Giraffe will be keeping you up-to-date with all the need-to-know information; from profiles of the star athletes, to interviews and first-person accounts of the action.
To start us off, here’s a list of the top ten facts about London 2012...
The 2012 Summer Paralympic Games are taking place between 29th August and 9th September 2012
New Disability Horizons contributor Matt Padmore tells us of his love of football and how a stroke, which left him reliant on a wheelchair, hasn’t stopped his desire to be part of the action at the football grounds.
What is... Boccia?
Boccia (pronounced ‘Bot-cha’) is a Paralympic sport that was introduced to the Games in 1984. It currently has no Olympic counterpart.
Athletes throw, kick or use a ramp to propel a ball onto the court with the aim of getting closest to a jack ball (similar to bowls). It is designed specifically for athletes with a disability affecting locomotor function.
For over 10 years, The Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) has been encouraging disabled people to participate in and enjoy the benefits of physical activity in inclusive and accessible environments. Current statistics show that 93% of disabled people are not regularly active, IFI seeks to change that by giving individuals more choice and opportunities to exercise within an accessible environment.
