What is the difference between the Paralympic Games and the Special Olympics?
Both of these organizations create platforms for people with disabilities to be able to compete in sports but they differ in their intentions. While the Paralympics values competition and elite skill levels, the Special Olympics values the power sports has to allow people to reach their full potential.
What happened Achmat Hassiem?
Former Paralympian Achmat “Sharkboy” Hassiem is off life support. He has been in an induced coma for the past two weeks following complications after surgery. A crowdfunding campaign was started for Achmat to help with his medical expenses.
Why are the Olympics and Paralympics separate?
The objective of the International Olympics is to ‘build a better world through sport. ‘ The objective of the International Paralympics is to make ‘an inclusive world through sport.
Why is Natalie du Toit famous?
Natalie du Toit OIG (/dʊˈtɔɪ/; born 29 January 1984) is a South African swimmer. She is best known for the gold medals she won at the 2004 Paralympic Games as well as the Commonwealth Games.
What is Natalie du Toit doing now?
The swimmer played her part in revolutionising disability sports in SA, and is now actively trying to improve the administration of all sporting codes.
Are Paralympics separated by disability?
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has established ten disability categories. Athletes are divided within each category according to their level of impairment, in a functional classification system which differs from sport to sport.
Are Paralympics disabled?
Paralympic athletes compete in six different disability groups—amputee, cerebral palsy, visual impairment, spinal cord injuries, intellectual disability, and “les autres” (athletes whose disability does not fit into one of the other categories, including dwarfism).
What sport is in the Olympics but not the Paralympics?
Among the 19 sports on the ATHENS 2004 Paralympic Games Programme are four sports that have no Olympic equivalent. These are Boccia, Goalball, Powerlifting and Wheelchair Rugby. The aim of the game is to throw/bowl game balls so that they land as close as possible to a special target ball, the “jack”.
Did Natalie du Toit compete in the Olympics?
She was one of two Paralympians to compete at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing; the other being table tennis player Natalia Partyka. Du Toit became the third amputee ever to qualify for the Olympics, where she placed 16th in the 10K, “Marathon”, swim.