Discussion-activity: The potential of the Paralympic movement

October 26, 2000
Web posted at: 4:36 PM EDT (2036 GMT)

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CNNfyi article, "Paralympics making great strides"

1. Who is Marla Runyan? What is the significance of a Paralympian earning a spot on the national Olympic team? What do you think are some challenges that Paralympians face?

2. What does athletic consultant Eli Wolff suggest that the Paralympics could learn from the Special Olympics? What are some differences between the Paralympics and Special Olympics?

3. What does "Paralympic" mean? When did the Paralympics begin? When was the first time that Paralympians participated in the same venues as Olympic athletes? How often do the Paralympics occur? What are some similarities and differences between the Paralympics and Olympics?

4. Have the class select three Olympic events. Discuss different types of disabilities that a Paralympian might have. Have a class discussion on ways that the event would need to be modified (venue, athlete's equipment, time constraints, etc.) to become a Paralympic event.

Paralympics.com
Sydney 2000 Paralympics
International Paralympic Committee
Disabled Sports USA

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