Sports competitions push bodily limits but they are also about having fun. Sir Ludwig Guttmann, a doctor, understood this. In 1948, he decided to host a competition for a group of British soldiers with spinal cord injuries. The small event, known as the Stoke Mandeville Games, took place on July 28, the same day as the opening of the London Olympics. Though informal, it marked the first iteration of the Paralympic Games. In 1960, in Rome, the first official version took place, with 400 athletes from 23 countries participating. This exhibition, which combines archives, posters, photographs, sports equipment, and more, traces the history of an important movement—proof that disability does not preclude talent, power, and a drive to triumph. —Elena Clavarino
The Arts Intel Report
A Cultural Compass
For the World Traveler
For the World Traveler
A Cultural Compass
For the World Traveler
Paralympic Stories: From Sports Integration to Social Inclusion 1948–2024
Winner of a race at the 1988 Seoul Paralympic Games.
When
Until Sept 29
Where
Etc
Photo: © Collections of the National Museum of Sport, Nice