Wheelchair Basketball At Paralympics 2024 | Basketball is one of the most popular sports worldwide, but many people don’t know that it’s also played by athletes with physical challenges. Today, over 100 countries participate in wheelchair basketball, with teams like France, the USA, and Great Britain competing in the Paris Paralympic Games 2024.
Wheelchair basketball was originally created to help injured soldiers recover and manage stress. Since these athletes use wheelchairs to move around the court, the sport became known as wheelchair basketball. This sport will be a significant event at the Wheelchair Basketball At Paralympics 2024.
Wheelchair Basketball At Paralympics 2024
There is an International Wheelchair Basketball Federation, which says that the sport was first played in 1945 between two hospitals in the United States.
According to the International Paralympic Committee, wheelchair basketball started in 1946 in the USA, created by injured World War II soldiers. Many of these soldiers were former able-bodied players who wanted to keep playing the game. The sport quickly spread across the US and worldwide, thanks to simple adaptations and a few rule changes for people in wheelchairs.
Wheelchair basketball was first included in the Paralympic Games in 1960 in Rome. The Rome Paralympics featured eight sports, including wheelchair basketball Paralympics. In that first event, the United States won two gold wheelchair basketball medals.
As the Indian flag bearer in the Olympics 2024 opening ceremony leads the nation, the spirit of these athletes will continue to inspire, including the paralympic wheelchair basketball players striving for victory.
Wheelchair basketball match australia - nederland Paralympic Games Paris 2024. Great atmosphere ... pic.twitter.com/1npir5OlyP
— sdl (@sandrine_lange) August 29, 2024
Google Doodle Celebrates Wheelchair Basketball At Paralympics 2024
Wheelchair basketball is getting more attention as the world looks forward to the Paralympic Games in Paris 2024. On August 30, 2024, Google honored the sport with a fun Doodle that celebrates the spirit, energy, and determination of Paralympic wheelchair basketball players.
This Doodle highlights the history of wheelchair basketball, its importance in the Paralympic movement, and the inspiring stories of athletes who have overcome great challenges to compete on the global stage.
Google Doodle: wheelchair basketball Teamwork
Google’s decision to honor wheelchair basketball with a Doodle during the 2024 Paralympics highlights the sport’s global significance. This Doodle is more than just a picture; it’s a tribute to the determination and teamwork that define wheelchair basketball.
The Doodle also helps raise awareness about the sport and the Paralympics as a whole. For many people, this Doodle might be their first introduction to wheelchair basketball, sparking interest and encouraging them to learn more about the Paralympic wheelchair basketball players and their inspiring stories.
The History of Wheelchair Basketball in the Paralympics
Wheelchair basketball has a long history, starting around 1946 when injured World War II servicemen first played the game. According to the International Paralympic Committee, most of these players were once able-bodied and wanted to keep playing basketball.
With simple changes and slight rule adjustments, the sport spread across the US and then worldwide. Wheelchair basketball Paralympics officially began in 1960 at the first Paralympic Games in Rome.
The sport quickly grew from a therapeutic activity into a competitive event, showcasing both athleticism and teamwork. Over time, wheelchair basketball became a major event at the Paralympics, drawing paralympic wheelchair basketball players from all over the world. Today, it’s one of the most popular and watched events in the Paralympic Games.
Paralympics 2024: A Stage for New Legends
Wheelchair basketball is set to be one of the highlight events of the 2024 Paralympics in Paris. Teams from all over the world have been preparing for years, honing their skills and developing strategies to compete for wheelchair basketball medals. The competition will be fierce.
paralympic wheelchair basketball players
Keep an eye on these paralympic wheelchair basketball players, as they are among the best in the sport.
- Mariska Beijer (Netherlands)
- Catharina Weiss (Germany)
- Suiling Lin (China)
- Lindsey Zurbrugg (United States)
- Trevon Jennifer (United States)
- Philip Pratt (Great Britain)
- Bill Latham (Australia)
- Oscar Onrubia (Spain)
- Arinn Young (Canada)
The Google Doodle celebrating wheelchair basketball at the 2024 Paralympics is a fitting tribute to a sport that embodies the Paralympic spirit. It honors the players who have dedicated their lives to perfecting their skills, the coaches and support staff who have guided them, and the fans who cheer them on.
Whether you’ve been a fan of wheelchair basketball for years or are just discovering it, now is the perfect time to get involved, support these amazing athletes, and join the global celebration of the Paralympics 2024.
How to watch Paralympic Games
The Paralympic Games are set to begin in Paris on Wednesday, running for 11 days until September 8.
During the opening ceremony Paralympic, be sure to watch for the biggest American stars who will be competing in the first few days. The Paralympic Games ceremony will showcase top athletes, including those in wheelchair basketball.
Many Paralympic events are classified based on an athlete’s impairment, such as T/S11 for athletes with very low vision or no light perception, and T/S37 for athletes with movement disorders like cerebral palsy.
Opening ceremony
Instead, athletes from over 180 countries will walk down the Champs-Élysées to Place de la Concorde, with the public watching along Paris’ most famous street. The ceremony will feature performers with disabilities, and the Champs-Élysées has been temporarily covered with asphalt to make it easier for the Paralympic athletes.
Keep an eye on the wheelchair basketball Paralympics, where top paralympic wheelchair basketball players will be competing for wheelchair basketball medals.
Paralympic Day 1
Preliminaries start for wheelchair rugby and men’s wheelchair basketball. The U.S. men’s team is aiming to become the first to win three consecutive gold wheelchair basketball medals at the Paralympic Games.
The U.S. rugby team is looking for its first gold medal since Beijing 2008, with Sarah Adam making history as the first woman to compete on the team.
Also happening are the finals in the women’s 50-meter freestyle and 100-meter butterfly. American Ellie Marks, who won silver in the 50-meter in Tokyo, will race again in Paris. In the 100-meter butterfly, American Grace Nuhfer will make her Paralympic debut, challenging Italy’s Carlotta Gilli, who has dominated this event in recent competitions.
Keep an eye on the Paralympic wheelchair basketball players as they compete in these key events at the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
paralympic day 2
Prelims start in women’s sitting volleyball and women’s wheelchair basketball, with the U.S. men’s team also beginning their goalball prelims. There are three finals to watch: the women’s 400-meter freestyle S11, the women’s 100-meter backstroke, and the women’s 200-meter T37 track event.
The USA women’s wheelchair basketball team is aiming for its third consecutive medal in the event, having won gold in Rio and bronze in Tokyo. The sitting volleyball team is also chasing its third straight gold.
Goalball could become your new favorite sport. It’s for visually impaired athletes who wear blindfolds and try to score a ball with a bell in it into the opponent’s net. The game combines elements of dodgeball, bowling, and soccer, and it has no Olympic equivalent.
The U.S. men’s goalball team is hoping to get back on the podium after finishing fourth in Tokyo.
On the track, Americans Jaleen Roberts and Taylor Swanson will compete in the 200 meters.
In the pool, Anastasia Pagonis and Gia Pergolini, both current world record holders, will defend their gold medals in the 400-meter freestyle S11 and 100-meter backstroke, respectively.
Paralympic day 3
The third day of the Paralympics is packed with action, featuring seven finals with American competitors.
Susannah Scaroni will aim to defend her gold medal in the women’s 5,000-meter T54, competing in the event for the fourth time at the Paralympic Games.
In the men’s 100-meter T38, three Americans will race: Jaydin Blackwell, Ryan Medrano, and Nick Mayhugh. Blackwell, 20, is making his Paralympic debut and is a top contender after impressive performances in world championships.
Mayhugh, who has represented the U.S. in soccer, switched to sprinting during the off-season. Noah Malone, who won three medals in Tokyo, will also compete in the men’s 100-meter T12 final.
In the women’s 100-meter backstroke S8, Jessica Long is competing in her sixth Paralympics. She has medaled in this event four times but has yet to win gold.
Other events to watch include Olivia Chambers swimming the women’s 400-meter freestyle S13, 19-year-old Ezra French in the men’s long jump T63, and three Americans—Mallory Weggemann, Julia Gaffney, and Morgan Stickney—racing in the women’s 200-meter IM SM7.
