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Stronger, Faster...Bravest

Two weeks after the Summer Olympics ended, a crowd once again packed the National Stadium in Beijing, China. Fireworks and cheers rocked the opening ceremonies of the Paralympic Games on September 6.

The Paralympics began in 1960. They are held every four years, after the Olympics. This year, some 4,000 top athletes from 148 countries are competing for medals in 472 events in 20 sports. Some, like cycling and table tennis, are Olympic sports. Others, like sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball, are in the Paralympics only.

South African runner Oscar Pistorius won gold in the 100-meter event last Tuesday. Pistorius is known as the Blade Runner because of his artificial legs. He was born without all of his leg bones. His legs were removed when he was a baby. In May, Pistorius won a legal battle for the right to run against able-bodied athletes in the Olympics. But he did not make the South African team. He hopes to qualify for the next Games. "I'm looking forward to London 2012," he said.

By Wednesday, China led the overall medal count, followed by Britain and the United States. The Paralympic Games end on September 17.

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