Paris Paralympics 2024: Google Doodle Celebrates Wheelchair Tennis Sport

As the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games get underway, excitement and anticipation for the international showcase of sporting skills continues to grow. Wheelchair tennis is a sport that showcases the incredible abilities of its athletes, and celebrating the sport is one of the highlights of this year’s Paralympic Games. To mark the occasion, Google is launching a special Google Doodle to capture the spirit of the sport.

Source: Google Doodle

History of Wheelchair Tennis

Wheelchair tennis was founded by American freestyle skier Brad Parks in 1976. The sport quickly gained popularity and was included in the Paralympic Games in 1992.

The International Paralympic Committee states: “Wheelchair tennis was founded in 1976 by former American freestyle skier Brad Parks. The sport flourished in the 1980s when France became the first country in Europe to develop a dedicated wheelchair tennis program. The sport made its Paralympic debut at the 1992 Barcelona Paralympic Games.”

The sport follows the same rules as regular tennis, but with some adjustments to accommodate wheelchair use. Players are allowed to bounce the ball twice before returning it, and the sport features an impressive array of techniques and strategies that highlight a player’s agility, precision and power.

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Google Doodle: A Tribute to Wheelchair Tennis

To mark the success and importance of wheelchair tennis at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Google created this unique Doodle highlighting this exciting sport. The Doodle shows Paralympic birds competing in wheelchair tennis, and its bright colors and vitality perfectly convey the spirit of the sport.

Wheelchair tennis at Paris 2024: Key players to watch

Player Name

nation

Nils Wenk

Netherlands

The Great

Netherlands

Najwa Awane

Morocco

Donald Rampaldi

South Africa

Heath Davidson

Australia

Dana Mathewson

USA

Gustavo Fernandez

Argentina

Angelica Bernal

Colombia

Oda Tokito

Japan

Ji Zhenxu

China

The impact of wheelchair tennis

The Paralympic Games and the wider sporting community have benefited greatly from wheelchair tennis. It has inspired millions of people around the world, challenged prejudices about disability and demonstrated the incredible potential of athletes with limited mobility.

Overall, the Google Doodle celebrating wheelchair tennis at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games is a testament to the importance of the sport and the extraordinary achievements of its athletes. With the world watching and cheering, this year’s Paralympic Games will undoubtedly highlight the extraordinary talent and determination of wheelchair tennis players, inspire future generations, and reinforce the values ​​of inclusion and excellence that define the Paralympic Movement.

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