Here are the most successful Paralympic nations

Aug 25, 2021

With the collaboration of Statista.

Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games - The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony - Olympic Stadium, Tokyo, Japan

The Paralympics have taken place since 1960. Image: REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo

Martin Armstrong

Data Journalist, Statista

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The Paralympics, meaning 'parallel Olympics', are a meeting of the world's top athletes who have a disability.
From the years 1960 to 2016, the United States was the most successful Paralympic nation and won 2,175 medals.
The UK follows close behind, with 1,789 medals.

With the Summer Olympics having drawn to a close on 8 August, the next major multi-discipline international sporting event is due to get started - the Paralympics. Meaning the 'parallel olympics', the Games are a meeting of the world's top athletes that have some form of disability and have taken place since 1960.

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As our infographic shows, like the Olympics the United States has been the dominant force here too with a total of 2,175 medals the most overall victories. Great Britain is currently in second place with 1,789 while Germany makes up the top 3 with 1,443. The opening ceremony will take place on 24 August while the first competitions will be started the following day, including medals being awarded in the swimming, cycling and wheelchair fencing.

a chart showing a list of the most successful Paralympic nations (countries with the most medal wins from 1960-2016)

The United States was the most successful Paralympic nation from 1960 - 2016. Image: Statista

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