Last month, we asked for your favourite moment in Olympic history, in celebration of the Paris 2024 Olympics starting. Now that has come to a close, we have the 2024 Paralympics coming up soon on 28 August, so we're after the same thing!
Share with us your favourite moment from Paralympic history, whether it's a display of sporting prowess, an incredible opening ceremony, something that happened outside the stadiums, or something else entirely. Submissions should be either third-party image or video - or if it's before the time of visual media, tell us about it and provide a link to the source - and tell us why it's your favourite moment in 50 words or more to win $2.
One of the most inspiring moments in Paralympic history is when Diede de Groot achieved a won a gold medal and the paralympics in singles tennis and also won the grand slam that year!. She became the first wheelchair tennis player to win all four major Grand Slam tournaments and the Paralympic gold medal in the same calendar year. Her dominance on the court and her humble, determined attitude made this achievement not just a milestone in sports but a celebration of hard work and excellence. De Groot’s Golden Slam is a testament to her extraordinary talent and dedication. These olympics happened in 2021 I believe but it was classed as 2020 which was delayed due to covid, i've attached a link too! This bounty is getting me excited for the paralympics actually! can't wait for it to start
"We are all different, there is no such thing as a standard or run of the mill human being, but we share the same human spirit,"
The opening ceremony in 2012 in London Summer Paralympics was marked by the presence of the Stephen Hawking making a great speech that show us that been diferente is part of the human race and saying that the Paralympics games help us to gain another perspective of the world and understand and respect everybody independent of what make each other different.
The Paralympics is a tough event for me. On one hand, it's sad to see, as it might look like people are suffering. On the other hand, I've been there, fighting against the odds to get out of a wheelchair after a bicycle race crash. Setting goals and pushing through pain and struggles is crucial when life changes.
My favorite moment is from the Rio 2016 Games, specifically the women’s Paratriathlon, the toughest sport you can imagine. I found a picture of Allysa Seely and Liisa Lilja during their first transition. Seeing prosthetics and crutches in a triathlon transition zone reminded me of my first race after surgery, where I had to walk to the starting line on crutches while an assistant was rolling my bike.
My favorite moment is Hannah Cockroft winning the first track gold for GB at London 2012. I had the pleasure of running into Hannah a few months after this, and she was brilliant to chat to, and super humble, admitting that she didn't get recognized often but London 2012 had changed that.
Her T34 100m win was fantastic and was my first exposure to the Paralympics. I've been a huge fan ever since, watching Hannah go on to win a further 6 gold medals (so far!)
Matt Stutzman was born on 10 December 1982 in Kansas City, Kansas USA he is an American Archer, He competed at 2012 and 2016 Paralympics and won a silver medal in 2012. born without arms, Stutzman used his legs and feet for most of his activities especially Archery. He hold world record for the longest accurate shot in the sport.
The noise of the crowd, one of the very rare times a race gets a delay due to too much noise from the stands! Jonnie Peacock having to ask them to be quiet, such is the excitement and anticipation for what is about to happen.
Peacock pulled away from a strong field to claim T44 100m gold on home soil and bag another gold for GB at the London 2012 Paralympics. His story and success in the most amazing atmosphere is a standout moment for me!
This is was pretty hard to choose, but for me, the fencer Bebe Vio at the Rio Paralympic Games in 2016, watching her impressive victory and the emotions of joy/tears she showed after winning, still today it goosebumps anyone.
It's incredible how these beautiful human being teach us the greatest of lessons for life.
In the paraolimpics Games Brazil 2016 the first paraolimpic woman winner Marcia Malsar was chosen to carry the Olimpic Torch in the Maracaná Stadium In Rio
but when she starting to walk suddenly lose the equilibrium and fall with the Torch luckily somes peoples help her to stand up and continue walking
Get in a giant applause from the crowd
-“ What defines each of us is how we can stand up after every fall”
she says
definitely a great moment of to defeat the adversity and the body limits
Imagine this: It's the London 2012 Paralympic Games, and the atmosphere is electric. The crowd is buzzing with anticipation, and the energy in the Aquatics Centre is off the charts. Enter Natalie du Toit, the South African swimmer who’s about to make history.
Now, Natalie’s story is nothing short of incredible. After a motorcycle accident in 2001, she had her left leg amputated at the knee. Most people would be crushed by such a life-altering event, but not Natalie. She didn't just get back in the pool—she dominated it.
At the London Games, she was a force to be reckoned with. In the 100-meter freestyle S9 category, she not only won gold but did so in a way that left everyone in awe. And that was just one of her many victories—she also snagged gold in the 50m freestyle, 100m butterfly, and 200m individual medley. Basically, if there was a race, Natalie was there, crushing it.
But here’s the kicker: Natalie wasn’t just a Paralympic champion. She had also competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, making her one of the first athletes with a disability to qualify for both the Olympics and Paralympics in the same year. Talk about breaking barriers!
Her performance in London wasn’t just about winning medals; it was about showing the world what true resilience and determination look like. Natalie’s victories weren’t just personal triumphs—they were monumental moments that pushed the Paralympic movement into the global spotlight, inspiring millions and changing perceptions of what it means to be an athlete.
The first story that comes to mind is that of Melissa Stockwell. She stood on the podium on September 11th, a day that forever changed her life. After the 2001 attacks, she was called to serve in the army, and three years later, an explosion cost her a leg. Remarkably, she went on to win a bronze medal in the triathlon on that same date in 2016.