The first Archery competition for persons with a disability was held at the Stoke Mandeville Hospital in 1948. In 2006, 37 countries compete in Archery but the number is still growing. Archery was one of the original Paralympic Sports contested in Rome in 1960.
Sports
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Athletics offers a wide range of competitions and the largest number of events. Athletics has been part of the Paralympic Games since 1960 and, since then, advances in technology and the athletes' sheer dedication to the sport have made once unimaginable feats become realities.
Boccia is descendent from ancient Greek ball tossing games. In 1984 Boccia was officially recognised as a Paralympics sport and was first played in Australia in 1987.
Athletes either compete on a track or on the road. Track racing has various types of events including sprints and individual time trials whilst road races are conducted on regular roads.
Lawn Bowls is a sport where people with a physical disability can participate equally with able-bodied competitors.
Athletes with a physical disability compete in the Bench Press.
Shooting is a test of accuracy and control, in which competitors use pistols or rifles to fire a series of shots at a stationary target.
CP Football competitions are available for athletes who have cerebral palsy (CP) and who have acquired brain injuries (ABI) that have CP symptoms.
Swimming is one of Australia’s favorite sports and leisure activities and occupies a unique place in the national identity.
Table Tennis was included in the first Paralympics in the 1960.
Volleyball is a very quick and exciting game to play and watch.
Wheelchair Basketball was one of the foundation sports on the Paralympic Program in Rome in 1960. Today, it is one of the most popular sports for athletes with a disability.
The Modern Olympic sport of fencing demands those same talents of speed and skill allied with fitness and stamina to produce the complete fencer.
Wheelchair Rugby was developed by three Canadians from Winnipeg, Manitoba as a quadriplegic equivalent to wheelchair basketball.
Wheelchair tennis appeared for the first time on the Paralympic program in 1992. It originated from the USA in the 1970's, and it continues to develop a strong following of players and fans internationally.