Paralympics 2024: to whom do we owe 3 gold and 2 silver medals?

The Paralympic Games in Paris were scheduled from August 28 to September 8, 2024. During these 12 days, we could watch the incredible performances of exceptional athletes not only from Slovakia. In 2024 , the XVII. year of the Paralympic Games , in which approximately 4,400 athletes from 185 countries took part.

The Paralympics: the power of the human spirit and sporting determination

The Paralympics is one of the most important sporting events in the world, bringing together athletes with physical, visual or mental disabilities to compete at the highest level . Many people see the Paralympics as just an addendum to the Olympic Games, but in reality it is an event of enormous importance, pointing to:

• the power of the human spirit

• endurance

• steadfastness

In Paris, for the first time in history, the Games were held under the common name "Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024".

Source: https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/paralympic-games

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1a-WON60atM

History of the Paralympics

The roots of the Paralympics go back to the post-World War II era, when doctor Ludwig Guttmann organized the first sporting event for war veterans with spinal injuries in 1948 in Stoke Mandeville, Great Britain. These competitions became the basis for what we know today as the Paralympics.

The first official Paralympic Games were held in Rome in 1960 and have since become an integral part of the Olympic movement.

Important landmarks in the history of the Paralympics include, for example , the inclusion of athletes with intellectual disabilities for the first time in 1996 , or the merger of the International Paralympic Committee with the International Olympic Committee in 2001 , which further consolidated the importance of these games in a global context.

The steadfastness and strength of character of para-athletes

The Paralympics is above all a manifestation of strength of character and steadfastness . Every athlete who participates in these games has overcome many obstacles and hardships to get to the starting line. Disability does not define these athletes, but is just one of many aspects of their lives. Their determination and desire to compete at the highest level shows that human potential is almost limitless.

Diversity of disciplines at the Paralympics

During the Paralympics, athletes compete in many disciplines . Each discipline is adapted to the needs of competitors with different types of disabilities , which makes the competitions not only visually appealing, but also extremely diverse. Among the most famous or popular disciplines are:

• para athletics

• parasailing

• paracycling

• para-rowing

• wheelchair tennis

• bocce

• para-table tennis

• wheelchair basketball

In 2024 , new sports such as para-taekwondo and para-badminton appeared for the first time at the Paralympics, which will bring even more exciting moments.

The importance of the Paralympic Games for society

The Paralympics have a deep social meaning. It shows the world that a physical disability is not an obstacle on the way to achieving big goals. Through the Paralympics, stereotypes and prejudices are changed and athletes are an inspiration to millions of people around the world. In addition to the sports aspect, it also brings to the fore:

• issues of inclusion

• mutual equality

• human rights

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqMkLoutk1o

Slovak Paralympians - UNBREAKABLE

Slovakia at the XVII. A total of 26 athletes represented the Paralympics. For this occasion, the Slovak Paralympic Committee called our Paralympic team NEZLOMNÍ and they represented us in the following sports :

• boccia – 5 athletes

• para-athletics – 3 athletes

• paracycling (road, track) – 2 athletes

• paradressage – 1 athlete

• parachuting – 3 athletes

• paraswimming – 2 athletes

• para-table tennis – 7 athletes

• para shooting – 3 athletes

Source: paralympic.sk

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeI0mlD5C18

The campaign also includes the official song with the same name Nezlomní, whose main performers are Peter Cmorík Band, Mário "Kuly" Kollár, Lucia Bujnová, Michal Červienka.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueW_67dDFRM

Slovakia at the Paralympics in Paris 2024 - results

At this year's Paralympics, Slovakia again achieved great results thanks to the steadfastness and courage of our para-athletes. Although not all goals may have been achieved, we thank you for a great representation and keep our fingers crossed for them in the next competitions.

To whom do we owe the medal?

Jozef Metelka – paracycling pursuit race C4 – GOLD MEDAL

Peter Lovaš and Ján Riapoš – para-table tennis singles – GOLD MEDAL

Veronika Vadovičová – para shooting 10m air rifle prone mix – GOLD MEDAL

Veronika Vadovičová – para shooting 50m small caliber three positions – SILVER MEDAL

Radoslav Malenovský - para shooting 10m air rifle prone mix - SILVER MEDAL

Source: paralympic.sk

Thanks to them, Slovakia placed 35th in the final medal balance of countries.

Here you can find the medal results of individual countries from the Paris 2024 Paralympics

The Paralympics is more than just a sporting event. It is a celebration of the human spirit, determination and perseverance. It is an opportunity for athletes to show that a physical disability is not the end, but a new beginning full of opportunities and challenges . Through the Paralympics, the world sees that true strength lies in the determination to never give up.

Thank you to all para-athletes for a great representation!

Author: Katarína Bačíková

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