Commonwealth Paraplegic Games
An event for para-athletes of the Commonwealth, like the Paralympics, was held four times from 1962 to 1974. The Commonwealth Paraplegic Games was held immediately before or after the British Empire and Commonwealth Games (as they were known then).
The first Commonwealth Paraplegic Games were held in Perth from 10 to 17 November 1962, a week prior to the 'regular' Commonwealth Games.
The Games were an initiative of the Australian surgeon and director of the Spinal Unit of Royal Perth Hospital, Sir George Bedbrook. The event included 93 athletes from nine nations. The 14 sports on the program were archery, dartchery, javelin throw, precision javelin, club throw, shot put, swimming, weightlifting, pentathlon, fencing, snooker, basketball and table tennis. Australia led the medal table with 38 gold medals.
The number of athletes at the Commonwealth Paraplegic Games increased with each subsequent event, with over 230 attending the final 1974 Dunedin Games.
Disabled athletes took part in exhibition events at the Commonwealth Games in Victoria, Canada in 1994. Since Manchester 2002, Paralympic events are included on the official Commonwealth Games program, and run alongside the other sports on the program. The Commonwealth Games were the first all-inclusive international sports event.
Related Pages
- About Para-sports at the Commonwealth Games
- Commonwealth Winter Games, a winter version of the Commonwealth Games held between 1958 and 1966.
- Commonwealth Games History
- List of Commonwealth Games Firsts — the first time this and that happened.
- Commonwealth Games Trivia
Any comments, suggestions, or corrections? Please let us know.
Current Events