In Athletics there can be blind athletes, deaf athletes, athletes in wheel chairs and others with various ambulatory difficulties. Although the number of athletes competing is small, their dedication to the sport, their determination to perform and the great joy they took in competing is inspiring.
All the events in athletics try to stick as close as possible to the original events. However, some accommodation must be made for the disabilities. Some athletes in wheel chairs have to be tied down in the throwing events. Blind long jumpers have to jump from a 1 meter square at the end of the runway rather than staying behind a mark after being guided to the runway by an aide. Some wheel chair athletes try running using their wheel chairs or by using the race runner, a sort of wheeled frame.
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At these games there were a variety of races on the track and several throwing events (shotput, javelin, discus and club throw). I took some pictures which can be seen by clicking here.
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Other sports played at the Powell River games included boccia (played by the very disabled), archery, golf, lawn bowling, kayaking, 5 pin bowling, equestrian, goalball (for the blind) and wheel chair obstacle course. Full details can be found at the BC DISABILITY GAMES SITE
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Other sports at other games in the past have included sailing, wheelchair basketball and soccer, tennis, etc. I took some pictures at the 2003 games in Kelowna and these can be seen by clicking here.