ATHENS, Sept. 19 (Xinhuanet) -- As one of the most attractive Paralympic sports, athletic competitions unfolded at the Athens Paralympic Games on Sunday.

    A total of 1,299 athletes with disabilities worldwide are participating in some 300 events of the sport September 19-27. There will be eight finals on Sunday.

    The sport has been listed on the medal sports program of Paralympic Games ever since the inaugural event in Rome in 1960. It boasts the largest field, men and women, and the largest number of events.

    Participants in the Paralympic Games are athletes with cerebralpalsy, spinal chord injuries, amputations or other physical disabilities, blind athletes and athletes with vision impairment.

    Athletes compete in a wheelchair or using prosthetic legs or arms (artificial limbs), while blind athletes compete with the help of a guide.

    Athletes are classified in various categories, based on the type of their disabilities. For example, athletes with cerebral palsy are classified into classes 32 to 38. In classes 32 to 34, athletes compete in a wheelchair and in classes 35 to 38 in an upright standing position.

    The athletic competition are held at the Olympic Stadium of the Athens Olympic Sports Complex (OAKA). Enditem