President Zalman Shazar officially opened yesterday the Stoke-Mandeville games, popularly known as the “wheelchair olympics,” in which paraplegics and other disabled veterans compete in a series of sports events. The opening ceremonies were on the Hebrew University campus but the contests will be held mainly in the Tel Aviv area. Contingents from 27 countries are participating, with the largest foreign representation coming from the United States and from England where the games originated after World War II. Other participants represent Sweden. West Germany, Austria, Italy, France and India. Poland and the Soviet Union were invited but refused to send delegations. The games, held every four years, include basketball, bowling, tennis and soccer, all played from wheelchairs, and swimming events.
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