Adaptive Sports 5 specialized programs offers them social support that differs from the social sup- port available to them in inclusive programs. In par­tic­u­lar, specialized programs provide opportunities to develop relationships with peers who have experienced similar life circumstances as well as the shared understanding that comes in know- ing the impact their having a disability has had on their physiological and psycho- social quality of life. Although inclusive programs tend to occur at a recreational level for the pur- poses of enjoyment and social interaction, specialized programs tend to focus on athletic identity, sport-­specific training, skill development, and competition. Thus, a second advantage to participation in specialized sports programs is the opportu- nity for youth to engage in higher levels of competition specific to adaptive sports where equipment, rules, sports classifications, and sport strategies specific to the sport being pursued are learned and repeatedly practiced often in preparation for an upcoming competition or event. In other words, youth who have a disability and are wanting to develop as an athlete and experience more significant competition in hopes of reaching an elite level (i.e., participation in varsity high school, colle- giate programs, or community-­based tournament teams) can do so by participation in specialized adaptive sports programs. Some well-­known examples of competi- tive opportunities for individuals with disabilities include the Paralympics and the Special Olympics. The Paralympics and Special Olympics The Paralympics and Special Olympics serve as the main organ­izations that pro- vide specialized programs associated with adaptive sports in school, community, and competition-­based settings. The Paralympics is an international entity that is traditionally representative of community-­based sports programming and elite-­level sports competition for individuals with physical disabilities and/or visual and/or hearing impairments, although ­ there are some Paralympic sports in which individu- als with intellectual impairments are eligible to participate. The Special Olympics, also an international organ­ization, offers community-­based and competitive sports programming for individuals with developmental disabilities. In 1960 the first sum- mer Paralympic Games ­were held in Italy with 400 athletes from 23 countries competing in eight sporting events. In 1976, the first winter Paralympic Games took place in Sweden with 53 athletes from 16 countries competing in two sporting events. During the most recent 2012 London summer Paralympic Games, 4,237 ath- letes representing 164 countries competed in 20 sporting events. In 2014, during the Sochi winter Paralympic Games, 547 athletes from 45 countries competed in five sporting events. At pres­ent, the summer and winter Paralympic Games are held
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