World Para Athletics Championships 2025 |ForumIAS

News: India is hosting the World Para Athletics Championships 2025 , marking India’s debut as host of this global event.

World Para Athletics Championships

It is a biennial global competition in track and field for athletes with physical disabilities.
It is organised by World Para Athletics, a subcommittee of the International Paralympic Committee.

World Para Athletics Championships 2025	The 12th edition is being held in New Delhi. It is one of the largest para-sport gatherings in India’s history.
Dates	From September 27 to October 5, 2025
Host City & Venue	The host city is New Delhi, and the venue is the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
Historic Significance	It is the first time India is hosting the World Para Athletics Championships, making it a milestone for inclusion and accessibility.
Mascot	Name: VIRAAJ It is a symbol of strength, courage, and victory, Viraj embodies the unstoppable spirit of para-athletes who rise beyond every challenge Representation: A young elephant with a blade prosthesis
Participants	More than 1,000 athletes from over 100 nations. Over 70 athletes are representing India.
Events & Schedule	186 medal events: 101 men’s events 84 women’s events 1 mixed event Morning and evening sessions with finals in every session.
Facilities & Upgrades	The stadium has a new MONDO track (synthetic track surface) and athlete-friendly facilities.
History of Para Athletics	1. Originated at the Stoke Mandeville Games in the early 1950s 2. Got official recognition in the Paralympic Games at Rome in 1960- (with 25 events.) 3. Expanded steadily with wheelchair racing in 1964, events for visually impaired in 1972, and amputee athletes in 1976. 4. Marathon added in 1984.