If making it to the Olympics isn't hard enough, imagine trying to make it to that level while having some sort of physical or intellectual disability, such as amputation, cerebral palsy, or even blinded. In this series of images released from the Wall Street Journal, press photographers captured some amazing moments with these incredible athletes. The featured image was taken by Matthew Childs/Action Images via Zuma Press.
Poland's Lukasz Mamczarz won the bronze medal in the men's high jump F42 event on Sept. 3.
Spain's Juan Jose Mendez competed in a cycling trial at the Velodrome on Aug. 30. Facundo Arrizabalaga/European Pressphoto Agency
Germany's Wojtek Czyz won silver in the men's long Jump. Eddie Keogh/Reuters
Spain's Xabi Torres jumped next to his prosthesis as he left the pool after training. Emilio Morenatti/Associated Press
Greece's Nikolaos Pananos played a shot during the mixed pairs BC3 boccia final against Portugal on Sept. 4. Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press
Natalia Partyka, of Poland, served during a table tennis match on Aug. 30. Partyka was the only female athlete competing in both the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Toby Melville/Reuters
Ukraine's Laroslav Semenenko stretched ahead of men's 100-meter backstroke S6 category on Aug. 30. Emilio Morenatti/Associated Press
Leonardo Diaz, of Cuba, competed in the men's discus throw on Sept. 5. Michael Steele/Getty Images
Richard Whitehead, of Great Britain, celebrated winning gold in the men's 200-meters final on Sept. 1. Michael Steele/Getty Images
China's Lu Dong trained on Aug. 30, 2012. Dong, who doesn't have arms, went on to win a gold medal in the women's 100-meter backstroke S-6 event. Suzanne Plunkett/Reuters
Denmark's Mikael Andersen, right, with guide, on Aug. 31. Matthew Childs/Action Images via Zuma Press
Belgium's Peter Genyn, right, tried to rip the ball from Canada's Garett Hickling, left, during a wheelchair rugby match Thursday. European Pressphoto Agency.
Italy's Alessandro Zanardi balances on his wheelchair with his gold medal after winning the Men's Individual H4 road race Friday. Luke MacGregor/Reuters
Esther Vergeer of the Netherlands defeated Aniek Van Koot, not pictured, in the women's wheelchair tennis final, 6-0, 6-4. Alastair Grant/Associated Press
Great Britain faced China during a Women's Group C Goalball match on Aug. 30. Scott Heavey/Getty Images
Roos Oosterbaan, of the Netherlands, attempted to block a shot from Alana Nichols. of U.S. the Netherlands won their Women's Wheelchair basketball bronze medal match Friday. Scott Heavey/Getty Images
Brazil's Luciano dos Santos Pereira, who is visually impaired, accidentally knocked over an official during the men's triple jump F11 final Thursday. Suzanne Plunkett/Reuters
Chui Yee Yu, left, of Hong Kong, China, won gold against Baili Wu, right, of China during the Women's Individual Foil Category. Michael Steele/Getty Images
Brazil's Ricardinho, left, avoided a challenge by Argentina's David Peralta, second from left, during a soccer match. Eddie Keogh/Reuters
Laroslav Semenenko, of Ukraine, prepared to compete in the men's 100-meter backstroke heats on Aug. 30. Clive Rose/Getty Images
Ireland's Mark Rohan celebrated with supporters winning gold in the Men individual H1 road race Friday. Facundo Arrizabalaga/European Pressphoto Agency
Matt Stutzman, of the U.S., prepared to fire an arrow on Sept. 3. He won silver, beaten in the final by Jere Forsberg of Finland. Toby Melville/Reuters
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Absolutely love these- makes me want to learn about every story behind the image.
I think I like these better than the photos from the non-Paralympics.
I was thinking the same! Very emotional images. My favorite is the swimmer with no arms be held in the starting position.
Superhumans
yes very emotional images
amazing images, very emotive... well done to them all
Absolutely superb images....speaks volumes about the spirit of humans.