If you think the Olympics are inspiring, you ain’t seen nothin’. Athletes who enter the Paralympics have physical and intellectual disabilities and compete in a wide variety of sports, such as track and field, volleyball and swimming.
This year’s games, going on right now in London, are the largest ever, with 4,280 athletes representing 166 countries. Here, Brazil’s Falvio Reitz clears 1.68 meters in the high jump.
In the Paralympics, athletes with similar disabilities compete against each other. Athletes and their sports are coded to denote the event and type of disability. Click through the gallery to be inspired by this year's magificent athletes.
(Photo: Stegan Wemuth/Reuters)
Psyched to Score
Britain’s David Anthony celebrates after scoring in a wheelchair rugby match against the United States.
(Photo: Stegan Wemuth/Reuters)
Ready, Aim...
American Matt Stutzman expertly positions an arrow as he prepares to shoot. He won the silver medal in the men's individual compound bow competition.
(Photo: Toby Melville/Reuters)
Taking the Field for Five-a-Side
In men's five-a-side soccer, Brazil’s Ricardo Steinmetz takes on three Chinese defenders. All players in this five-a-side game have varying degrees of visual imparement, but wear blindfolds to ensure fairness. The ball they play with emits a noise so they can locate it. Each team has a sighted guide on the sidelines helping to direct players.
(Photo: Andrew Winning/Reuters)
Xu Takes Gold
Qing Xu of China, center, prepares for a race in the men’s 50-meter freestyle swimming competition. He took home the gold.
(Photo: Luke MacGregor/Reuters)
Zanardi Races to Glory
Alessandro Zanardi of Italy raced in Formula One and was a cart racing champion before losing his lower legs in an accident. Adding to his wins, Zanardi took gold in the men's cycling competition.
(Photo: Andrew Winning/Reuters)
Bringing His Guide to Gold
Felipe Gomes and his guide, Leonardo Souza Lopes, ran the 200-meter in 22.97 seconds. That time earned Gomes a gold.
(Photo: Stegan Wemuth/Reuters)
Katyshev Jumps for Gold
Ukrainian Ruslan Katyshev, who is visually impaired, earned the gold medal in the men’s long jump with a jump of 6.46 meters.
(Photo: Stegan Wemuth/Reuters)
Over the Net
Brazil’s Anderson Ribas spikes the ball in a sitting volleyball match against China.
(Photo: Andrew Winning/Reuters)
After the Race
Kasper Zysek of Denmark carries his prosthetic legs after competing in the 400-meter freestyle race. Zysek races without prosthetics.
(Photo: Luke MacGregor/Reuters)
Nukhailawi's Thunderous Throw
Wildan Nukhailawi of Iraq lets out a yell after a throw in the men’s discus.
