Paralympic Games Spotlight: Para-Athletics

The Paralympic Games are officially underway in Tokyo and we wanted to highlight some of the amazing sports for you and your little ones!

Today we are going to talk about the awesome world of para athletics. Like athletics, Para athletics is designed for athletes who compete in both track and field events. Sports range from sprinting to triple jump!

The first Para athletics competition was held in 1952 in Stoke Mandeville and it’s been growing ever since. Today, at the Tokyo Paralympics, many athletes are participating from around the world. You can watch a very good little video on para athletics track here.

Athletes are placed into sport classes according to their impairment, typically divided up into three categories for deaf athletes, athletes with physical impairments and intellectual impairments. For example, T11 athletes run with a guide because they have total visual impairment and T/F64 athletes compete with prosthetics in a standing position.

So, who are our heroes in Tokyo? Well, GB sprinter Jonnie Peacock, who won Gold in Rio has won Bronze in Tokyo. And Libby Clegg, double gold medal winner in Rio with guide Chris Clarke in the T11 100m and 200m.

Head to this website for more information on how to get involved with para athletics.

Check out our other Paralympic blogs here and best of luck to these amazing athletes from everyone at Banjo HQ!