The Paralympic Games Explained

by Ian Brittain

Overview

Now in a fully revised and updated third edition, The Paralympic Games Explained is the leading introduction to the Paralympic Games, one of the largest multi-sport mega-events in the world. The book explores every key aspect of the Games, from the history and development of the Paralympic movement to the Games’ economic and social impact.

This new edition includes new data and research material from Paris 2024, Beijing 2022 and Tokyo 2020, and looks ahead to Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032. It examines key themes in Paralympic studies including governance; sustainability; societal attitudes to disability and disability sport; media and marketing in disability sport, and the debates around the legacy of the Games. This edition also explores new theoretical developments in the analysis of disability, sport and society, and presents 10 new case studies of Paralympic nations, including France, Chile, Namibia, Samoa and South Korea.

With useful features included in every chapter, such as review questions, study activities, web links and guides to further reading, this book is an essential text for any course on the Paralympic Games or disability sport, and invaluable reading for anybody with an interest in sport and society, sport history, sport management, mega-events, or disability and society.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781032903729
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	12/17/2025
Edition description:	3rd ed.
Pages:	366
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Ian Brittain is an internationally recognised expert in the study of disability and Paralympic sport. He has formerly been an Executive Board member of the International Stoke Mandeville Wheelchair Sports Federation, was the Sports Coordinator for the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) World Games in Rio de Janeiro and currently acts as Heritage Advisor to World Abilitysport. He has attended six of the last seven summer Paralympic Games, only missing Tokyo 2020ne due to COVID regulations, and was a Ceremonies Consultant for the London 2012 Paralympic Opening Ceremony. His research focuses upon sociological, historical and sports management aspects of Paralympic and disability sport.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1. History and Development of the Paralympic Games 1. The Olympic Movement and the Paralympic Games 3. The Governance of Paralympic Sport 4. Disability and the Body 5. The Broader Social Issues of Disability within Society and their Impact on Sports Participation 6. Media, Marketing and Disability Sport 7. Some Major Issues within the Paralympic Movement 8. Diversity at the Paralympic Games. 9. International Perspectives on Paralympic Participation 10. The Special Olympics, Intellectual Disability and the Paralympic Games

Editorial Reviews

'A remarkable book', Olympic Review

'This would be a useful introductory resource for those interested in disability studies, particularly if coupled with a general history of the subject. Summing Up: Recommended', Choice, May 2010

'This clearly printed and presented book is not merely well researched, indexed and referenced, it is an 'easy read' ... I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to know the story and background to the origins and development of the Paralymic Games', Bernard Atha, Chair of the UK Sports Association for People with Intellectual Disabilities

From the Publisher