The Beijing Paralympics
The Beijing Paralympics was held from September 6 to 17. A record 4,032 athletes from 147 countries and regions took part in the Games. For the first time in its 48-year history, the Paralympics saw an Olympic host pledge "Two Games of Equal Splendor," and go all out to achieve "transcendence, integration and equality" for the disabled.
Athletes broke 279 world records and 339 Paralympic records during the Games. Canadian wheelchair racer Chantal Petitclerc, South Africa's amputee swimmer Natalie du Toit, and Australian swimmer Matthew Cowdrey produced one of the greatest feats in Paralympic history, each bagging five gold medals. In addition to the unparalleled sporting success, the hosts were also widely praised for 12 days of near-flawless organization. "These have been great games. I think everybody realizes that," said International Paralympic Committee (IPC) president Philip Craven at a closing ceremony press conference.
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