Who was the founder of the modern Paralympic movement?

The founder of the modern Paralympic movement is Sir Ludwig Guttmann. He was a neurologist who played a pivotal role in promoting sports to improve the quality of life for individuals with spinal cord injuries. Guttmann organized the first Stoke Mandeville Games in 1948, which served as the precursor to the Paralympics and established the idea that sports could support rehabilitation and inclusion for athletes with disabilities.

Guttmann's focus on leveraging competitive sports as a means of empowerment was revolutionary at the time. He envisioned a global sports event for athletes with disabilities, which laid the groundwork for the first official Paralympic Games held in Rome in 1960.

In contrast, individuals like Jesse Owens were renowned for their achievements in able-bodied athletics, while Maria de Villota and Billie Jean King have made significant contributions to sports in various capacities, but they were not directly tied to the founding of the Paralympic movement. This distinction underscores Guttmann's unique legacy in the realm of disability sports.