This film is part of Free
1964 International Stoke Mandeville Games in Tokyo, 8th-12th November
Competitors, officials, advocates and spectators take part in the second awe-inspiring Paralympic Games, held in Tokyo.
Overview
Take a trip to Tokyo for the second ever international Paralympic Games. Before the World Wars, individuals with disabilities were often considered a burden on society, but as injured veterans returned from the conflict, attitudes changed significantly. Britain's answer to this was to set up the National Spinal Injuries Centre in Stoke Mandeville in 1943 - where the Paralympics would begin.
The centre's director, Professor Guttmann, created the Stoke Mandeville Games, which eventually become the Paralympics, in order to promote physical sport therapy, exercise and confidence for those with disabilities. He can be seen addressing the crowd with a young Prince Akihito, reigning Emperor of Japan. Great Britain finished second in the medal table and this film also features Michael Shelton, the snooker gold medallist whose story is told in Mining Review 18th Year No. 5, also available on BFI Player. Multi-language commentaries might have existed for this silent footage.
