2004 Summer Paralympics

De **2004 Summer Paralympics** (Greek: Θερινοί Παραολυμπιακοί Αγώνες 2004), de 12th Summer Paralympic Games, na ebe major international multi-sport event give athletes plus disabilities govern by de International Paralympic Committee, dem hold insyd Athens, Greece from 17 to 28 September 2004. 3,808 athletes (2,643 Men den 1,165 Women) wey komot 136 countries participate. During dese games na dem break 304 World Records plus dem break 448 Paralympic Games Records across 19 different sports. 8,863 volunteers work along de Organizing Committee.

Na dem introduce four events to de Paralympics insyd Athens; 5-a-side football give de blind, quads wheelchair tennis, den women's competitions insyd judo den sitting volleyball. Dey follow scandal for de 2000 Summer Paralympics, for wich na dem strip de Spanish intellectually-disabled basketball team of dema gold medal after na dem find out say multiple players no meet de eligibility requirements, na dem suspend ID-class events.

Na e sanso be de last time wey dem use de old Paralympic symbol. Na dem introduce de fresh Paralympic symbol insyd 2006.

## Host City Bid Process

Na dem choose Athens as de host city during de 106th IOC Session dem hold insyd Lausanne, Switzerland for 5 September 1997. Na de Greek capital loose ein bid make e organize de 1996 Summer Olympics to de American city of Atlanta nearly seven years before, during de 96th IOC Session insyd Tokyo, Japan for 18 September 1990. Under de direction of Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, Athens pursue anoda bid, dis time give de right make dem host de Summer Olympics insyd 2004. De success of Athens for make dem secure de 2004 Games na e base largely for de bid ein appeal to human values, de history of de Games from de ancient to modern periods den de emphasis say dem place Athens for de pivotal role wey Greece den Athens fi play for dem dey promote de Modern Olympism den de Olympic Movement. Unlike de 1996 bid committee wey na dem see dem arrogant wen na de city dey bid, na dem laud de 2004 bid for ein low scale, humility, honest den earnestness, ein focus message, den more real detailed bid concept. Unlike, nine years before wer na dem raise concerns den criticisms during de unsuccessful 1996 bid – primarily wen na dem talk insyd critical subjects about de city ein infrastructural readiness, ein air pollution, ein budget den politicization of de Games events den dema preparations. Along successful organization of anoda events as de 1991 Mediterranean Games, de 1994 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship,1994 World Fencing Championships den de successful 1997 World Championships insyd Athletics, one month before de Olympic host city election na ebe crucial for allaying lingering fears den concerns among de sporting community den sam IOC members about de Greek ability make dem host international sporting events. Anoda factor wey contribute to de Greek capital ein selection na ebe growing sentiment among sam IOC members make dem restore sam original values of de Olympics to de Modern Games, component wich na dem feel na e lost during de 1996 Summer Olympics.

## Fresh rules dem apply to de Paralympics

Na dis be de last edition of de Summer Paralympics for wich cities fi make de decision whether anaa dem no fi host de Games. As dem still dey see dem as optional den second-tier event. Na International Olympic Committee (IOC) be motivated after de high number of problems dey concern de 1996 Summer Paralympics dem hold insyd Atlanta plus different organization start strategic partnership plus de International Paralympic Committee (IPC) wey dem demand from all 11 applicant cities dema plans wey dey regard de Paralympics for de first time. All de 11 bidding cities agree make dem accept dese requirements, but na three per different organizations dem propose.

## Medal count
Na dem award total of 1567 medals during de Athens games: 519 gold, 516 silver, den 532 bronze. China top de medal count for de first time plus more gold medals, more silver medals, den more medals overall dan any oda nation. Insyd de table below, de ranking dey sort by de number of gold medals earn by nation (for dis context insyd a nation be entity wey represent by National Paralympic Committee).

Na among de top individual medal winners be Mayumi Narita of Japan, wey take seven golds den one bronze medal insyd swimming, wey she set six world records insyd de process wey dey bring ein overall Paralympic gold medal total to fifteen. Chantal Petitclerc of Canada win five golds wey she set three world records insyd wheelchair racing, while Swedish shooter Jonas Jacobsson take four gold medals. France ein Béatrice Hess win ein nineteenth den twentieth Paralympic gold medals insyd swimming. Swimmer Trischa Zorn of de United States win just one medal, bronze, but na ebe ein 55th ever Paralympic medal. She retain ein position as de most successful Paralympian of all times.

## Opening ceremony

Na de opening ceremony for de 2004 Summer Paralympics take place for 17 September 2004. De show start plus children dey pass on knowledge wey dem dey raise dema lights to de sky. Na dis be reference to Hippocrates, wey transfer knowledge give dema disciples. 26-meter tall plane tree (plus more dan 195,000 leaves) dey symbolise life stand insyd de middle of de arena. Na de opening ceremony sanso feature performance plus human drama, plus light den plus music, insyd allegory about obstacles den limits.
Na de Parade of Delegations be accompanied by de music of French composers Yves Stepping den Jean Christophe. De music tell de legend of Hephaestos, god of fire den son of Zeus den Hera. Athlete wey komot Turkmenistan propel ein self around de stadium by he dey do somersaults. Greece, de home team, receive strong cheer. After dat, fireworks erupt for de stadium.
Na der be 150 local support staff involve den 400 volunteers. Na de kiddies dey from ages 8 go 17, wey dem komot Australia, France, Spain, Greece den Germany.

Philip Craven, de Presido of de International Paralympic Committee, na he be accompanied by de head of de organizing committee Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, wey tell de athletes den de audience: "The Olympic flame illuminates athletes. Many of you will leave Athens with medals, but all of you will leave as champions." Phil Craven quote Democritus insyd ein speech: "Two thousand years ago, Democritus say "To win oneself is the first and best of all victories."This holds true for all athletes, but especially for Paralympians. Recognising and cultivating your unique abilities and mastering challenges – you set standards and give expression for many people, young and old, around the world." Na dem officially declare de Games opened by de Presido of de Hellenic Republic Konstantinos Stephanopoulos insyd Greek, accompanied by de Adjutant to de Presido of de Hellenic Republic Army Lieutenant Colonel Dimitrios Reskos.

"Κηρύσσω την έναρξη των Παραολυμπιακών Αγώνων της Αθήνας." – "I declare opening of the Athens Paralympic Games."

—  Constantinos Stephanopoulos, Presido of de Hellenic Republic

Na Georgios Toptsis light de paralympic flame, pioneer athlete insyd Greece. Na Toptsis win three medals (one silver den two bronze) between de 1988 den 1996 Games.

## Closing ceremony

Na de closing ceremony give de 2004 Summer Paralympics take place for 28 September 2004. Na dem remove de traditional cultural display from de ceremony as mark of respect give de deaths of seven teenagers wey komot Farkadona, wey dey travel go Athens, wey dema bus collide plus truck near de town of Kamena Vourla.

: *"The Athens Olympics Organising Committee  has decided to cancel the closing ceremony of the 12th Athens Paralympics as initially planned and scheduled because of the tragic accident that cost the life of pupils. The artistic and entertainment part of the ceremony will not take place."* (official statement)

Na dem fly flags at half mast wey na dem observe minute's silence. For contrast plus de formal nature of de opening ceremony, de athletes enter de stadium for de final time as collective. Na dis be followed by official matters, wey dey include de handover to Beijing, hosts of de 2008 Summer Paralympics, den cultural presentation by de delegation (wich include presentation of de fresh Paralympic "agitos" emblem).  Procession of young people then dem make dema way make dem join de athletes insyd de centre of de stadium dey carry paper lanterns, before na dem extinguish de Paralympic flame.

## Calendar
Insyd de following calendar give de 2004 Summer Paralympics, each blue box dey represent event competition. De yellow boxes dey represent days during wich na dem hold medal-awarding finals for a sport. De number insyd each yellow box dey represent de number of finals wey na dem contest for dat day. De dots insyd each box dey indicate say na competition dey dat day.

## Media coverage controversies
Although na dem broadcast de Paralympic Games to around 1.6 billion viewers thru out 49 countries, na dem cause sam controversy wen no American television network stay make e broadcast de event. Dis result insyd sam US viewers make dem wedge almost 2 months til na dem broadcast de coverage, compare plus live feeds insyd chaw oda countries.

### Paralympic Media Awards
De BBC win de best broadcaster award.

## Sports den impairment groups

Dey follow scandal for de 2000 Summer Paralympics, for wich na dem strip de Spanish intellectually-disabled basketball team of dema gold medal after dem find say chaw players no meet de eligibility requirements, na dem suspend ID-class events, insyd 2001, de IPC decide make e remove events for de intellectually disabled den make chaw changes to oda classifications of different events. For addition, de IPC sanso expand de number of events give women insyd various sports, dey replace de standing volleyball tournament plus de female sitting volleyball na anoda move be realization of women's events insyd judo den de quads events insyd wheelchair judo. Na dem sanso add fresh team event insyd de program: 5-a-side football give de blind. For total, na dem drop 43 events from de program wey dem include 16 den na dem replace 5. As result, na dem hold 32 fewer finals dan Sydney, dey total 519 finals.

*Dem fi find results give individual events for de relevant page top.*

*Archery
*Athletics
*Boccia
*Cycling
*Equestrian
*Football (5-a-side)
*Football (7-a-side)
*Goalball
*Judo
*Powerlifting
*Sailing
***spy [http://www.paralympic.org/sport/sailing the IPC Sailing microsite] for general details of de sport*
*Shooting
*Swimming
*Table Tennis
*Volleyball (Sitting)
*Wheelchair Basketball
*Wheelchair Fencing
*Wheelchair Rugby
*Wheelchair Tennis

## Venues
For total na dem use 15 venues for de 2004 Summer Olympics.

### Athens Olympic Sports Complex (OAKA)

* Indoor Pool of Athens Olympic Aquatic Centre – swimming
* Athens Olympic Tennis Centre – tennis
* Athens Olympic Velodrome – cycling (track)
* Olympic Indoor Hall – Wheelchair basketball
* Olympic Stadium – ceremonies (opening/ closing), athletics

### Hellinikon Olympic Complex (HOK)

* Fencing Hall – Wheelchair Fencing,Sitting Volleyball
* Helliniko Indoor Arena – Wheelchair Rugby
* Olympic Baseball Centre – archery
* Olympic Hockey Centre – Football 5-a-side, Football 7-a-side,

### Faliro Coastal Zone Olympic Complex

* Faliro Sports Pavilion Arena – goalball

### Markopoulo

* Markopoulo Olympic Equestrian Centre – equestrian
* Markopoulo Olympic Shooting Centre – shooting

### Oda Venues

* Ano Liossia Olympic Hall – boccia, judo
* Panathinaiko Stadium – marathon
* Vouliagmeni Olympic Centre-track cycling
* Agios Kosmas Olympic Sailing Centre – sailing

## Nations wey dey participate
Athletes wey komot 135 National Paralympic Committees compete insyd de Athens 2004 Paralympics. 12 National Paralympic Committees make dema dèbut for de Paralympic Games: Bangladesh, Botswana, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Ghana, Guinea, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Suriname, Tajikistan den Uzbekistan compete for de first time. Five National Paralympic Committees wey dem send delegations to Sydney 2000 dem no send delegation to Athens for various reasons wey na dem be: Laos, Madagascar, Mali, Papua New Guinea, den Vanuatu. Insyd Athens na der sanso be no group of independent anaa neutral athletes.

* Afghanistan (3)
* Algeria (18)
* Angola (4)
* Argentina (55)
* Armenia (2)
* Australia (152)
* Austria (44)
* Azerbaijan (9)
* Bahrain (5)
* Bangladesh (1)
* Barbados (1)
* Belarus (33)
* Belgium (25)
* Benin (2)
* Bermuda (2)
* Bosnia and Herzegovina (15)
* Botswana (1)
* Brazil (96)
* Bulgaria (9)
* Cambodia (2)
* Canada (146)
* Cape Verde (3)
* Central African Republic (1)
* Chile (4)
* China (198)
* Chinese Taipei (25)
* Colombia (5)
* Costa Rica (1)
* Ivory Coast (2)
* Croatia (17)
* Cuba (24)
* Cyprus (5)
* Czech Republic (65)
* Denmark (32)
* Dominican Republic (2)
* Ecuador (4)
* Egypt (46)
* El Salvador (2)
* Estonia (6)
* Ethiopia (1)
* Faroe Islands (1)
* Fiji (2)
* Finland (54)
* France (136)
* Germany (212)
* Ghana (3)
* Great Britain (167)
* Greece (124)
* Guatemala (2)
* Guinea (1)
* Honduras (2)
* Hong Kong (24)
* Hungary (37)
* Iceland (3)
* India (12)
* Indonesia (3)
* Iran (89)
* Iraq (8)
* Ireland (42)
* Israel (24)
* Italy (76)
* Jamaica (4)
* Japan (162)
* Jordan (10)
* Kazakhstan (8)
* Kenya (16)
* Kuwait (14)
* Kyrgyzstan (3)
* Latvia (7)
* Lesotho (2)
* Libya (2)
* Liechtenstein (1)
* Lithuania (20)
* Macau (1)
* Macedonia (3)
* Malaysia (19)
* Mauritania (1)
* Mauritius (2)
* Mexico (77)
* Moldova (3)
* Mongolia (3)
* Morocco (10)
* Namibia (1)
* Nepal (1)
* Netherlands (95)
* New Zealand (36)
* Nicaragua (1)
* Niger (1)
* Nigeria (14)
* Norway (34)
* Oman (2)
* Pakistan (9)
* Palestine (2)
* Panama (2)
* Peru (5)
* Philippines (2)
* Poland (104)
* Portugal (29)
* Puerto Rico (2)
* Qatar (2)
* Romania (2)
* Russia (84)
* Rwanda (2)
* Samoa (2)
* Saudi Arabia (6)
* Senegal (2)
* Serbia and Montenegro (5)
* Singapore (7)
* Slovakia (37)
* Slovenia (28)
* South Africa (51)
* South Korea (82)
* Spain (158)
* Sri Lanka (6)
* Sudan (2)
* Suriname (2)
* Sweden (41)
* Switzerland (41)
* Syria (5)
* Tajikistan (1)
* Tanzania (1)
* Thailand (43)
* Tonga (1)
* Tunisia (22)
* Turkey (9)
* Turkmenistan (4)
* Uganda (2)
* Ukraine (88)
* United Arab Emirates (10)
* United States (237)
* Uruguay (3)
* Uzbekistan (1)
* Venezuela (16)
* Vietnam (4)
* Zimbabwe (2)

## References


## External links
Wikimedia Commons get media wey relate to ******.

* 25 things you never knew about the Paralympics (BBC website). Also links to information about 20 athletes from Team GB.