Paralympics 2024: Google Doodle celebrates powerlifting

The Paralympic powerlifting competition was celebrated with a playful animated doodle on the Google homepage on September 5, 2024. The doodle shows a large blue bird holding a baguette like a weightlifting barbell, with a brown bird sitting on top pecking at a piece of bread. Various types of bread can be seen in the background, reinforcing the application of the sport as playful and creative.

The message on the Google Doodle page reads: “The wait is over, the weights are here. Get ready for today’s Para Powerlifting event at the Aréna Porte de La Chappelle!”

History of Paralympic Powerlifting

• Para-powerlifting made its debut at the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo
• It was first included as an official Paralympic sport in 1984
• The women’s powerlifting competition was introduced at the Paralympic Games in Sydney in 2000.

Competition details

The event will take place from September 4 to 8 at the Aréna Porte de La Chapelle in Paris. Athletes will compete in different weight categories, such as 49 kg, 54 kg and 59 kg for men and 41 kg, 45 kg and 50 kg for women. Possible disabilities include cerebral palsy, orthopedic disabilities, neurological disorders, paraplegia and tetraplegia.

Remarkable achievements on day 1

• In the women’s 45 kg category, LL Guo of China won gold, while Z. Newson of Great Britain and N. Muratli of Turkey took silver and bronze respectively.
• In the men’s 49 kg class, Jordan’s O. Qarada won gold, followed by Turkey’s A. Kayapinar in second place and Vietnam’s VC Lê in third place.

Further successes

Para powerlifting has produced notable athletes such as Siamand Rahman of Iran, who holds the world record in the men’s 107 kg class with 310 kg. In the women’s category, Amalia Perez of Mexico has achieved notable success, winning several Paralympic gold medals.

Google’s creative doodle not only celebrates the powerlifting competition but also highlights the spirit and strength of the athletes competing in the Paralympic Games. It fits perfectly with the Paralympic ethos and showcases both the intensity of the sport and its inclusive nature.

From small beginnings with limited numbers and gender representation, Para Powerlifting has grown into a dynamic and inclusive sport that showcases the incredible strength and determination of athletes with disabilities. The ongoing development of competition structures and increasing global participation underscore the growth and importance of the sport within the Paralympic Movement.

Google’s Doodle celebrates the endurance, creativity and strength of athletes and highlights the inclusivity and growth of Paralympic powerlifting. From its humble beginnings in 1964 to today’s dynamic and competitive sport, Para Powerlifting showcases the remarkable achievements of athletes and reinforces the spirit of the Paralympic Games on a global stage.

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