World wars have claimed the lives of more than 100 million people, and the number of people left with disabilities, according to various estimates, has reached 30 million. All these people had to somehow return to normal life in a world that was absolutely not adapted to this.
Yet it was an important step for society. The world turned its face to people with disabilities and began to gradually perceive them as full-fledged members of society. Already in the 50s, the distribution of ramps and the production of special vehicles will begin in Europe. Over time, sports were adapted for such people.
Who is Ludwig Guttmann?
This is largely due to the name of Ludwig Guttmann. He worked as a neurosurgeon in one of the hospitals in Germany, but in 1933 he was forced to cease activities due to the anti-Jewish policy of the government. Several years later, he fled the country, and, most likely, it was this decision that saved his life. After emigrating to the UK, Ludwig returned to medical practice and continued to improve his knowledge. One of the features of his methodology was that the doctor included sports in the rehabilitation program.
Guttman specialized in patients with spinal injuries. At that time, the Second World War was already in full swing, so he mainly treated wounded soldiers. His hypothesis about the benefits of sports was confirmed in practice, and at the end of the international conflict, Ludwig Guttman was commissioned to create a center for the treatment of people with musculoskeletal disorders.
Sports for All: Making the Stoke Mandeville Games
As time went on, people in all countries gradually got used to a peaceful life. The year 1948 arrived and the first post-war Olympic Games began in London. On the same day, another very important event took place. It is hard to say which part of the world’s population knew about it, but for people with disabilities it was practically the beginning of a new era. On that day, Ludwig Guttmann launched the first Stoke Mandeville Wheelchair Games. In the ranks of the participants were only British war veterans, and the program included only a few sports disciplines. But the main thing is that the athletes declared themselves, reminded the whole world of their existence and showed people with similar injuries that an active life continues.
Games became annual, the number of people involved increased and was not limited only to veterans. Anyone could take part. Before the start of the fourth games, a team of athletes from the Netherlands informed Guttman of their desire to join the event. So the competition received the status of international. At that time, the number of participants reached 130 people.
The first ever Paralympic Games
Four years later, Guttman’s efforts were noted by the International Olympic Committee, having awarded the federation he created for the implementation of the Olympic ideals of humanism. Two years later, Ludwig found an associate: his Italian colleague Antonio Maglio became him. Together they began preparations for the next stage – the ninth international Stoke Mandeville Games in Rome. The partners’ idea was brought to life in September 1960, right after the end of the Summer Olympic Games, which were also held in the Italian capital. Then 400 athletes took part in the Guttman competition, competing in eight sports. The organizers raffled off 57 sets of awards.
16 years later, Sweden will host the first Winter Olympic Games for the disabled, and in the eighties the term “Paralympics” will be officially approved.