The name “Paralympics” means something different than you think.

Paralympics season is upon us, and I, for one, am super excited about it!

It’s safe to say the Paralympics deserve more hype, so I’ve done my research.

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The name “Paralympics” means something different than you think.

“Para” means"alongside"inGreek, and the Paralympics arealongsidethe Olympics.

(Yes, seriously.)

5.There are 2 sports that take place at the Paralympicsexclusively!

Nurses attend to patients in a hospital room, with medical equipment around the beds

Theyre called boccia and goalball.

8.Sitting volleyball is literally playedsitting not in wheelchairs, but on the ground.

Athletes have toleave their wheelchairson the side.

Two athletes, one with a "Guide" bib, and the other with bib number 1411, running on a track at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games

So they play the exact same game as nondisabled athletes, just in wheelchairs.

They alsocovered a carwith Phryges just for the Paralympic Games.

14.For the Triathlon event this year, the Paralympic organizers switched around the dates last-minute.

Kody Ratt plays wheelchair rugby against a UK player during a match at the EDF European Paralympic Championships in Paris

Because ofwater quality problemsin the Seine river.

15.AdorableOlympics-Paralympics couplealert!!

16.The youngest Paralympic athlete this year is swimmer Iona Winnifrith, who is 13.

Hidetaka Sugimura, in a wheelchair, competes in a boccia event at the Paralympics. He is wearing a white sports jersey with the number 2205

(OK, sorry, that was bad).

Man with no arms pulling back a bowstring with his foot, focused on aiming the arrow

Two blindfolded soccer players, one wearing yellow and blue, the other in a light blue and white jersey, compete for the ball during a match

Paralympic sitting volleyball match, players from opposing teams in action reaching for the ball

Athletes in wheelchairs compete in a basketball game. Players in blue jerseys from GBR face off against players in white and red jerseys from another team

Athletes from the Refugee Paralympic Team march in the opening ceremony, wearing white jackets with colorful patterns. One athlete carries the team's flag

Swimmer with swim cap and goggles, wearing a black swimsuit, celebrates by holding up three fingers at a pool's edge with lane number 6 in the background

A car covered in numerous plush toy mascots is displayed at an outdoor event with a crowd in the background

Line of men on a red carpet, led by a man in a blue wheelchair. They are dressed in suits, some with patterned shirts

Paralympian Claire Cashmore runs out of the water during a triathlon with two high-rise buildings in the background. A masked official stands nearby

Serena Williams and coach celebrate joyfully as she is lifted in a jubilant hug at an athletic event

Swimmer during a butterfly stroke in a pool wearing a yellow cap and goggles, with water splashing around

Two men are standing together, smiling. One is wearing a black polo shirt and the other a white athletic shirt