Paralympics: Pictorial History (1/21)
 

This gallery explores the origins of the Paralympics as well as other pioneering disabled sports events and celebrates some of the stand-out figures along the way.

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  • Do you know what year this photo was taken? I am from Norway, and it might be possible to find out who this athlete are.

    Regards
    Arne Husby

    fnirgengakk 31st Aug 2012
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On the shoulders of giants
Long before the Paralympics was established disabled people had made a mark in competetive sport. Here we see Tommy McAuliffe, born in 1893, who went on to become a champion golfer despite having no arms (as you can see - not even stumps). Before the days of television, demand was high to see Tommy play and so he embarked upon a successful tour of America. British Pathe went along and made a newsreel, there's a link later on in this gallery.

Tommy married, had four children, and managed to make all of his dreams come true. He became a role model to not just the disabled community but to all.