The 1992 Paralympics was to be the largest showcase ever of elite disability sport. The Organizing Committee of the Barcelona Olympic Games (COOB) was concerned that the large number of Paralympic competitions might reduce the credibility of the Games built up by increasingly superior athletic performances.

Consequently, the Organizing Committee reduced the number of athletes by setting strict rules and regulations. This caused some controversy, but it also simplified and raised the level of competition, and allowed athletes with different disabilities to participate in the same events. Over 12 days of competition in 15 sports, more than 1.5 million spectators attended various events and millions more watched the competitions daily over television.

(Picture from paralympic.beijing2008.cn)