2000s Paralympic Summer Games Infographic

Click to zoom into a pdf of the Infographic. Statistics are from the IPC website

2000s Paralympic Winter Games Infographic

Click to zoom into a pdf of the Infographic. Statistics are from the IPC website

In 2000, during the Sydney Games, the relationship between the International Paralympic Committee and the International Olympic Committee was further strengthened by the signing of a memorandum of understanding and later the signing of a cooperative agreement.  Since then the parallel relationship of the two organisations has resulted in the two largest sporting spectacles on earth being organised closely together. 

Sydney 2000 Paralympic Summer Games

The Sydney 2000 Paralympics, the 11th ever held and the 1st hosted in the Southern Hemisphere, set a new record for media coverage and ticket sales of nearly 1.2 million. Between 200,000 and 400,000 spectators travelled to the Olympic Park each day. 3,878 athletes from 123 countries, competed in 550 events in 19 sports.  The GB team of 140 men and 74 women won a total of 41 gold, 43 silver and 47 bronze medals. Read more about the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Summer Games here

Salt Lake City 2002 Paralympic Winter Games

The Salt Lake Organising Committee was the first to combine the Olympic and Paralympics under one organisation. Spurred on by the popularity of the Winter Olympics, public interest soared, with the demand for tickets being so great that the total number made available was increased from 225,000 to 248,000. 415 athletes from 36 countries, competed in 4 sports.  The small GB team of 2 men didn't win any medals. Read more about the Salt Lake City 2002 Paralympic Winter Games here

Athens 2004 Paralympic Summer Games

After the success of Sydney came the Athens Games in 2004. There was further growth in the number of athletes and countries and TV audiences. China led the medal table, they sent a strong team ahead of the 2008 Beijing games. 3,804 athletes from 135 countries, competing in 519 events in 19 sports.  The GB team of 101 men and 66 women won a total of 35 gold, 30 silver and 29 bronze medals. Read more about the Athens 2004 Paralympic Summer Games here

Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games

This was Italy’s first hosting of a Paralympic Winter Games and the first time wheelchair curling was included in the Paralympic programme. 474 athletes from 38 countries, competing in 58 medal events in 5 sports. The GB team of 18 men and 2 women, competed in Alpine Skiing, Para ice hockey, and Wheelchair Curling. The Mixed Curling Team won the Silver medal. Read more about the Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games here

Beijing 2008 Paralympic Summer Games

The 2008 games at Beijing, were famously described by the Chinese as 'a Games of equal splendour' in the way that there was so much more parity between the Olympics and Paralympics. Beijing set new records for the number of athletes and countries represented. 3,951 athletes from 146 countries, competing in 472 events in 20 sports. The GB team of 134 men and 76 women won a total of 42 gold, 29 silver and 31 bronze medals. Read more about the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Summer Games here