The Paralympic movement in pictures from the GNM Archive

An athlete competing in the javelin event at the 1975 International Stoke Mandeville Games. The Stoke Mandeville Games were established in 1948 by neurologist Sir Ludwig Guttmann, who organized the sporting competition for spinal injury victims at the Stoke Mandeville Hospital rehabilitation facility. The Games were held in Stoke Mandeville until 1960 when they took place in Rome immediately following the Olympics. These became retrospectively known as the first Paralympic Games. The Paralympics continued to be staged alongside the Olympics while the Stoke Mandeville Games (today known as the IWAS World Games) took place more frequently, first annually then every two years Photograph: Guardian

Polish shot putter Lilia Harasimczuk at the 1984 Paralympics where she won three silver and two bronze medals. The 1984 Games were held in two separate locations, Stoke Mandeville, Buckinghamshire and Long Island, New York Photograph: Garry Weaser/Guardian

Male and female athletes competing in wheelchair basketball at the 1987 International Stoke Mandeville Games. The week long event saw 800 athletes from 35 countries competing in 10 sports Photograph: Kenneth Saunders/Guardian

Archery competitors at the 1975 International Stoke Mandeville Games. Archery was one of only two sports played at the 1948 Stoke Mandeville Games and was one of the original sports at the first Paralympics in Rome, 1960. This picture is just one of thousands taken by Jane Bown for the Observer. A collection of Jane's work is held by the GNM Archive Photograph: Jane Bown/Observer

Japanese competitors at the 1987 International Stoke Mandeville Games Photograph: Martin Argles/Guardian

An athlete on the track at the 1981 International Stoke Mandeville Games Photograph: Eamonn McCabe/Observer

Mexican athletes watching field events at the 1984 Paralympics in Stoke Mandeville. The Games were opened by the Prince of Wales the previous day Photograph: Garry Weaser/Guardian

A shot putter in action at the 1983 International Stoke Mandeville Games Photograph: Eamonn McCabe/Observer

A swimmer in training for the 1975 International Stoke Mandeville Games Photograph: Robin Laurance/Guardian

Bowls at the 1975 International Stoke Mandeville Games. This photograph by Jane Bown is one of thousands that can be searched on our online catalogue Photograph: Jane Bown/Observer

Wheelchair basketball competitors in action at the 1983 International Stoke Mandeville Games Photograph: Eamonn McCabe/Observer