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

Tickets for the 2028 Paralympics, which will be the first in L.A.’s history, will go on sale in 2027.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

The adaptive category doesn't yet use the same classifications for disabilities as the Paralympics.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

Olympics and Paralympics, at which time guests can look forward to expanded retail and dining offerings in the welcome pavilion, plus revamped galleries that allow for more contemporary presentation of the museum’s historic artifacts.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

The first Paralympics in L.A. will open on Aug. 15, 2028, but competition will start on Aug. 13 with wheelchair rugby.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

Since the 1992 Games, the Winter Paralympics have always been held in March, usually starting just shy of a fortnight after the conclusion of the Winter Olympics.

From BBC • Mar. 15, 2026