The Games followed the Olympic Games and use many of the same venues. More than 5,000 athletes from 124 countries competed and 1,500 media representatives were expected to attend. The United States had approximately 400 delegates in Sydney. The Sydney Games had the largest participation in Paralympic history. The difference between the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games is that the Paralympics provide an elite competition opportunity to athletes with a functional disability which precludes their involvement in open competition of the Olympic Games.
Paralympic athletes go through rigorous training year-round to prepare for their respective events.
The Paralympic Games are distinctly different than the Special Olympic World Games. The two, which are often confused as one in the same, are totally separate competitions. They are developed by entirely different organizations, that have different objectives. Special Olympics International focuses on participation of everyone, and involves athletes from ages 8 to 80 with mental retardation. All participants are considered winners and receive medals.