2012 Summer Paralympics

The 2012 Summer Paralympics, also called the London 2012 Paralympic Games, were a big international sports event for athletes with disabilities. The Games took place in London, England, from August 29 to September 9, 2012. This was the 14th Summer Paralympic Games and the first time London had hosted them alone.

These Games were very special because many people were excited to watch. After the Olympics in the same city, people were eager to see the Paralympics too. There was more media coverage, and many people bought tickets to watch. One famous athlete was Oscar Pistorius, a runner from South Africa who had both legs removed but still raced in the Olympics.

Over 4,000 athletes from 164 countries took part in 20 different sports. This included events for athletes with intellectual disabilities, which returned after a pause. China won the most medals, with 231 in total, followed by Russia and the host country, Great Britain. The event was called the “greatest Paralympic Games ever” by the leader of the International Paralympic Committee.

Bidding process

Main article: Bids for the 2012 Summer Olympics

The 2012 Summer Paralympics were held in London because the same city was chosen to host the 2012 Summer Olympics. This happened after an agreement between two big groups that organize sports events. During a meeting in Singapore, London was picked to be the host city for both the Olympics and the Paralympics.

Development and preparation

The 2012 Summer Paralympics were organized by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Olympic Delivery Authority. These groups made sure everything was ready for the games to happen.

England played an important role in the history of the Paralympics. A special event called the Stoke Mandeville Games happened there just before the 1948 Summer Olympics. This event was the first sports competition for athletes with disabilities and helped start the modern Paralympic Games.

The Paralympics used many of the same places as the Olympics, like the big stadium and the Olympic Village. These places were made to be easy for everyone to use, including those who use wheelchairs. Some older places also added special seats for these games.

Many people helped get the public excited for the Paralympics. There were special events, like one at Trafalgar Square where athletes showed off different sports. Television channels made ads to show how amazing the Paralympic athletes are. One popular ad was called "Meet the Superhumans", which showed how strong and talented the athletes are.

There were also special stamps made to remember the games, and post boxes painted gold to honor winners. The torch relay started in different parts of the United Kingdom and ended at the Olympic Stadium.

Millions of people bought tickets to watch the games, which was more than ever before. The opening ceremony was held on August 29th and had special performances. The closing ceremony happened on September 9th, with music and celebrations.

The Games

London 2012 had the largest number of athletes and participating nations of any Paralympic Games before. A total of 4,243 athletes from 164 countries competed. This was an increase from the 2008 Games, which had 3,952 athletes from 146 countries.

Fourteen countries took part in the Paralympics for the very first time. These were Antigua and Barbuda, Brunei, Cameroon, Comoros, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, the Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mozambique, North Korea, San Marino, the Solomon Islands and the US Virgin Islands. Trinidad and Tobago returned to the Games for the first time since 1988.

The 2012 Summer Paralympics featured events in 20 different sports. Some of these sports included archery, athletics, boccia, cycling, equestrian, football, goalball, judo, powerlifting, rowing, sailing, shooting, swimming, table tennis, volleyball, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair fencing, wheelchair rugby, and wheelchair tennis.

Events for athletes with intellectual disabilities returned in athletics, swimming, and table tennis. This happened for the first time since 2000, after new rules were made to make sure everyone met the needed requirements. Also, for the first time, guides and pilots in certain events could receive medals for their help.

Broadcasting

Main article: List of 2012 Summer Paralympics broadcasters

The 2012 Summer Paralympics were shown on TV in many countries. Over 36 broadcasters agreed to show the games in more than 100 nations. In the United Kingdom, Channel 4 showed more coverage than ever before, with over 150 hours of live events. They also trained new hosts, some of whom had disabilities themselves. Many people watched, especially during big events like the opening and closing ceremonies.

Other countries also showed the games, like Spain, Australia, and the United States. In the U.S., NBC showed only a few hours and no live events, which made some athletes unhappy. Canada showed highlights and also provided special audio descriptions for people who are visually or hearing impaired.

Controversies

Atos involvement

Some people were upset about a company called Atos that helped with technology for the Paralympic Games. Atos also worked with the British government to decide if people with disabilities could get help paying for things they needed. Some thought it wasn’t fair for Atos to support the Games while also being part of a system that sometimes made it hard for people with disabilities to get the help they needed.

Ticketing

There were some problems with tickets for people who use wheelchairs. Two mothers said they were told they could only bring one adult with them, and that children might not be allowed to sit with them. Many people signed a petition asking for better rules. The organizers said they tried to make sure families could sit together, but sometimes it was hard.

British television coverage

The TV channel that showed the Paralympics in Britain, Channel 4, got some complaints. Some people thought there were too many commercials during the opening ceremony. Others felt that they showed too much studio talk and missed some important events. Channel 4 said they needed commercials to help pay for showing the Games and that they were trying to explain the sports to viewers.

American television coverage

In the United States, the TV channel NBC Sports showed very little of the Paralympic Games. Many people, including some athletes, were upset because they wanted to see more of the events. NBC said they would show more in future Games.

Women's discus medals

During a women’s discus throw event, there was a mistake in the scoring. The wrong athlete was given the gold medal at first. After the mistake was found, another medal ceremony was held to give the correct medals. The athlete who was given the gold medal at first did not attend the second ceremony.