Paralympics

American  

[par-uh-lim-piks] / ˌpær əˈlɪm pɪks /

plural noun

1. Paralympic Games.

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Paralympics British  

/ ˌpærəˈlɪmpɪks /

plural noun

1. Also known as: the Parallel Olympics.  a sporting event, modelled on the Olympic Games, held solely for disabled competitors

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Usage

What are the Paralympics? The Paralympics, formally called the Paralympic Games, are an international athletic competition featuring multiple sporting events between athletes with a range of bodily differences and disabilities.The event is modeled after the Olympic Games, featuring the world’s top athletes in their sports, with the top three finishers in each event being awarded medals: gold for first place, silver for second place, and bronze for third place. Like the Olympics, there are Winter and Summer versions of the Paralympics, and they are usually held after the corresponding Olympic event in the same city.The Winter Paralympics feature winter sports, including skiing, snowboarding, ice hockey, and many others. The Summer Paralympics feature traditionally warm weather and indoor sports, like track and field, swimming, and wheelchair basketball, among many others.Eligibility for and competition in the Paralympics is based on categories that involve bodily differences and different types of disabilities, including those related to muscle power and movement, range of movement, limb differences, visual impairment, and intellectual disabilities.Athletes who compete in the Paralympics can be called Paralympians.

Etymology

Origin of Paralympics

C20: _parallel + _Olympics

Example Sentences

For the Winter Paralympics, which follow in March, UK Sport has set an ambition of two to five medals.

From BBC

Then there is Ralf Etienne, a banking associate with one leg, who is training to compete in the Winter Paralympics for his home country, Haiti.

From The Wall Street Journal

Ticket registration begins on Jan. 14 with 14 million tickets available for the Olympics and Paralympics, which would break the record for Games tickets sold.

From Los Angeles Times

Terry Hopkins, external: Won shot put gold at the 1992 Paralympics and another bronze and a discus silver at the 1988 Games.

From BBC

When tickets for the Paralympics go on sale in 2027, the system will be similar and fans will not have to re-register their interest.

From Los Angeles Times