General Information Wheelchair athletics is considered a discipline within the sport of athletics. Its development began in 1944, when Sir Ludwig Guttman introduced sport into the field of rehabilitation. The first International Stoke-Mandeville Wheelchair Games took place in 1948, and the International Stoke-Mandeville Wheelchair Sports Federation (ISMWSF) was formed. The first Canadian event was held in Manitoba in 1947. Traditionally athletics was the most popular sport for people with disabilities. The idea of athletes using wheelchairs resulted in track becoming the first sport to be included in the Paralympics. Discus, javelin and shot put soon followed. Wheelchair racing (800m for women and 1500m for men) has also been included at the Olympic Games as a demonstration sport. Wheelchair athletics includes both road racing (8km, 10km, half-marathon and marathon) and track and field. In many cases, wheelchair divisions are included in able-bodied events, such as the Vancouver Sun Run or BC Summer Games.