Although similar in scope to the Olympic Games, 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. Each Games are developed by entirely different organizations which have different objectives. The Paralympic Games provide world-class competition for elite disabled athletes at the highest level. Much like Olympians, Paralympians compete for gold, silver and bronze medals against the best disabled athletes in the world.