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The Paralympic Games Paris 2024 The Paralympics are comparable to the Olympic Games (“para” in Latin means beside or alongside). The first Paralympic Games, held in Rome 1960, were the culmination of Prof. Sir Ludwig Guttmann’s vision. Jewish physician Prof. Guttmann fled Poland with his family due to the Nazis and established a rehabilitation facility, Stoke Mandeville Hospital, in England. At his hospital, Guttmann was the first to incorporate sports in general and competitive sports in particular, into the rehabilitation process for British soldiers with spinal cord injuries. The Paralympic Games have continued to take place every four years, and since 1988 in the same host city, utilizing the same facilities and Olympic Village. Israel was a pioneer in international Paralympic sports. In the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s Israeli Paralympians, most of whom were disabled IDF veterans and polio survivors, had numerous achievements and won many medals. Over the years, more and more countries began to take part in the Paralympics and achievements in the various sporting events have reached new heights. In the last Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Israel won nine medals, six of which were gold. Swimmers Mark Malyar, Ami Dadaon and Iyad Shalabi woneight of the medals and Moran Samuel won silver in the single sculls event. Some 4000 athletes from 180 countries will march in the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games Paris 2024 on August 28, 2024. The 10-day event will include 22 different sports. The Israeli delegation will include 28athletes in ten sports. Goalball Goalball is a team sport designed specifically for blind and visually impaired athletes. All play with eyeshades, to equalize the play. The court is 9X18 meters with the goal extending along the entire nine-meter width. Teams of three players attempt to score as many goals as possible. Players use the sound of a bell attached to the ball to judge the position and movement of the ball within the court. The game consists of two 12-minute halves and spectators are required to remain silent during play so that the players can hear the ball. The women’s team, which won silver at the 2023 European Championships and bronze at the 2022 World Championships, will represent Israel in Paris. All the Philatelic items which have been Issue September 2024
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