US PARALYMPICS

The official Web site of the US Paralympics offers information on the games, performance plans for each of the 21 sports on the program of the Paralympic Games, bios of Paralympic athletes, a calendar of events, up-to-date news items, and opportunities to support the games. The International Paralympics is the second largest sporting event in the world after the Olympics, the Paralympic Games is a multi-sport competition of the world’s most elite athletes with physical disabilities. Featuring 21 sports, 18 of which are also part of the Olympics, the Paralympics requires participants to meet eligibility standards established through the International Paralympic Committee. Participants include amputees, blind or visually impaired athletes, athletes with cerebral palsy and spinal cord injuries as well as athletes affected by a range of other disabilities. The International Paralympic Committee is the international representative organization of elite sports for athletes with disabilities. It organizes, supervises and co-ordinates the Paralympic Games and other multi-disability competitions on elite sports level. IPC is an umbrella organization which represents all sports and disabilities.