Become a Paralympic expert

The Paralympic Games can be confusing, especially if you're not sure what sets them apart from the Olympic Games. Don't worry, check out our guide to the Paralympics: go from novice to know-it-all and impress your friends!

If you've been inspired by the Paralympic Games, let us know and comment below. Tell us which events you enjoyed the most or if you had a favourite sport or athlete you cheered on!

A fellow called Dr Guttmann of Stoke Mandeville Hospital encouraged veterans of WW2 with spinal injuries to use sport as part of their recovery by competing against each other. The Stoke Mandeville Games in 1948 involved 16 injured service men and women and was the first of its kind.

They became the Paralympic Games in 1960, running alongside the Olympic Games in Rome. Did you know that 'para' originally referred to the paraplegic athletes who took part? Since 1976, athletes with a wide range of disabilities can compete, not just athletes who use wheelchairs.

The usual suspects are featured, but with some exciting new twists! Wheelchair rugby is not for the faint-hearted; it's fast, it's furious and it'll have you cheering on in no time, even if you don't know the rules!

Visually impaired 5-a-side football is amazing to watch; imagine playing footy with a blindfold on! The spectators have to be absolutely silent for the players to concentrate and hear each other!

Even the swimming disciplines are superhuman, with many athletes with amputations, visual impairments and limited motor function taking to the pool and raking in medals.

Two sports are exclusive to the Paralympic Games and not to be missed! Goalball is played by athletes with visual impairments while boccia is a form of extreme bowls for athletes with severe disabilities. Some play boccia with just the blink of their eyes!

You may have noticed the athletes are not the only stars of the Games. Running along-side athletes with visual impairments, especially in the athletics categories, are guides who advise them to help navigate turns and obstacles.

In the pool, swimmers with visual impairments are warned of the approaching end of the lane by tappers. They gently tap the athlete on the back or shoulder as they hurtle towards the edge of the pool, giving them time and confidence to go at full speed.

It can be tricky working out the classification system. Each discipline starts with a letter for the sport followed by a number describing the athlete's level of ability. Each discipline uses a different scale to indicate ability. This classification system is used so athletes with similar abilities are pitted against each other.

During the Paralympic Games opening ceremony in Rio, stuntman and wheelchair user Aaron "Wheelz" Fotheringham backflipped through an exploding ring after hurtling down a towering ramp. 

The Paralympic Games are over now, but there was plenty to 'wow' us! Para-cyclist Dame Sarah Storey rode to victory and secured her 13th gold medal to become the most successful female British Paralympian. Since the 2016 Games commenced, the team from Great Britain chalked up 147 medals, including 64 golds! In fact, Great Britain beat their own record from London 2012 by 27 medals! Incredible! We can't wait for the next Games in Tokyo 2020!