The Paralympic Games Explained

The Paralympic Games is the second largest multi-sport festival on earth and an event which poses profound and challenging questions about the nature of sport, disability and society. The Paralympic Games Explained is the first complete introduction to the Paralympic phenomenon, exploring every key aspect and issue, from the history and development of the Paralympic movement to the economic and social impact of the contemporary Games.

The book introduces the three most important theoretical models of disability (medical, social and bio-social), to enable the reader to fully understand the Paralympics in the context of wider discussions of disability in society. It also offers a straightforward explanation of the importance of language and terminology in shaping our understanding of disability and disability sport. Including international examples and comparative material throughout, the book offers detailed and broad-ranging discussion of key issues such as:

• how societal attitudes influence disability sport
• the governance of Paralympic and elite disability sport
• the relationship between the Paralympics and the Olympics
• drugs and technology in disability sport
• classification in disability sport.

Containing useful features throughout, such as review questions, study activities, web links and guides to further reading, The Paralympic Games Explained is the most accessible, comprehensive and thoughtful guide to the Paralympics currently available. It is essential reading for all students with an interest in disability sport, sporting mega-events, the politics of sport, or disability in society.

Dr Ian Brittain has formerly been an Executive Board member of the International Stoke Mandeville Wheelchair Sports Federation and was the Sports Co-ordinator for the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation World Games in Rio de Janiero. He has attended the last three Summer Paralympic Games in Sydney, Athens and Beijing. His research focuses upon sociological, historical and sports management aspects of Paralympic and disability sport.