With more participants, competition grows fierce at Paralympics

The Toronto Star in Canada reports that this Paralympics, which begins Sept. 6, will have the toughest competition yet because of growing numbers of participants. In the picture left, U.S. swimmer Melissa Stockwell, right, talks with her coach Jimi Flowers during a Paralympics training session.

Canadian athletes may take home less hardware from the Beijing Paralympics than from past Games, but medals won may mean more this time because of an increase in competition.

Veteran wheelchair racer Chantal Petitclerc says the value of a Paralympic medal has increased because the level of dedication and commitment has risen as more athletes compete at the Games.

The Paralympics can no longer be considered the weak cousin to the Olympic Games, she said.

"That means the value of these medals is, in many events, the same value as an Olympic medal," said the Montreal resident who is competing in her fifth and final Paralympics. "You can qualify that by the number of countries, by the number of athletes and the depth, and how close the competition is.

"To me that's very positive."

Competition at the Beijing Paralympics begins Sunday with more than 4,000 athletes from 148 countries competing in 20 sports. Gold medals will be awarded in 472 events.

The 2000 Paralympics in Sydney attracted 3,881 athletes from 122 countries. Four years ago in Athens 3,806 athletes competed from 135 countries.