In August 2026, Finland will host one of the most innovative sporting events in the world of adaptive athletics. From 16–21 August, athletes from across the globe will gather in Lahti for the inaugural World Abilitysport Guttmann Games, a new international multi-sport competition dedicated entirely to sports that are not currently part of the Paralympic Games programme. The event takes its name from Sir Ludwig Guttmann, the pioneering neurologist whose work with injured veterans after the Second World War ultimately led to the creation of the Paralympic movement. Few names carry greater significance in disability sport, and the decision to honour him reflects the ambition of the Games: to create opportunities for athletes competing in emerging and developing disciplines while continuing the spirit of innovation that has always defined adaptive sport.
Why the Guttmann Games Matter
The Paralympic Games have grown enormously over the past decades, becoming one of the world’s most important sporting events. Yet many adaptive sports remain outside the Paralympic programme despite thriving international communities and dedicated athletes. The Guttmann Games aim to provide a global platform for these disciplines. In many ways, the event resembles The World Games, which showcase sports not included in the Olympic programme. The difference is that the Guttmann Games focus specifically on athletes with physical impairments and the development of new opportunities within disability sport. World Abilitysport, the international governing body organizing the event, describes the Games as a way to promote, develop, and showcase sports that have not yet found a place on the Paralympic stage. For athletes, it offers international visibility. For spectators, it provides a glimpse into the future of adaptive sport.
Why Finland?
The choice of Finland is no coincidence. The Games will take place at the Pajulahti Sports Institute, located in the Lahti region approximately one hour north of Helsinki. Surrounded by forests and lakes, Pajulahti has become one of Northern Europe’s most respected centres for elite sport, education, and rehabilitation. More importantly, Pajulahti serves as Finland’s official Paralympic Training Centre and has extensive experience hosting international adaptive sporting events. The venue previously welcomed the European Para Youth Games and regularly hosts competitions and training camps for para-athletes from across Europe. The Nordic countries have long embraced the idea that sport should be accessible to everyone. Finland’s investment in adaptive sports infrastructure and inclusive recreation makes Lahti a fitting host for a competition designed around participation, innovation, and opportunity.
Sports on the Programme
The inaugural edition of the Guttmann Games will feature a diverse range of disciplines, many of which remain unfamiliar to mainstream audiences. The programme includes:
- Disability Snooker
- Para Dance Sport
- Para Disc Golf
- Para Laser Run
- Para Tetrathlon
- Standing Tennis
- Wheelchair Ultimate Frisbee
Together, these sports demonstrate the diversity of modern adaptive athletics. Some are adaptations of established sports, while others have developed unique formats designed specifically for athletes with physical impairments. Disc golf, for example, has become particularly popular in Finland, a country widely regarded as one of the world’s leading disc golf nations. Its inclusion reflects both local sporting culture and the growing international appeal of the sport.
Lahti’s Growing Sporting Identity
Lahti is often associated with Nordic skiing and winter sport. The city has hosted multiple FIS Nordic World Ski Championships and remains one of Finland’s most important centres for cross-country skiing and ski jumping. Yet the Guttmann Games highlight another side of Lahti’s sporting identity. Increasingly, the city is positioning itself as a destination for year-round sports, accessibility initiatives, and international events that combine athletic excellence with social inclusion. Hosting the inaugural Guttmann Games places Lahti at the forefront of a global movement that seeks to expand opportunities for athletes beyond the traditional Paralympic framework.
A Nordic Vision of Inclusion
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the Guttmann Games is how naturally they fit within Nordic values. Across the Nordic region, sport is often viewed not merely as entertainment or elite competition but as a social good. Participation, accessibility, community involvement, and lifelong physical activity are considered essential parts of public life. The Guttmann Games embody this philosophy. While medals will certainly matter, the broader objective is to create visibility for athletes and sports that might otherwise remain outside the spotlight. In that sense, the event is about much more than competition. It is about expanding possibilities. As athletes arrive in Lahti in August 2026, they will not simply be participating in another international tournament. They will be helping to establish a new tradition in global disability sport—one that reflects both the legacy of Ludwig Guttmann and the Nordic belief that sport should be open to everyone.
Fast Facts
Event: 2026 World Abilitysport Guttmann Games
Dates: 16–21 August 2026
Location: Pajulahti Sports Institute, Lahti, Finland
Organizer: World Abilitysport
Purpose: International multi-sport event for non-Paralympic adaptive sports
Named After: Sir Ludwig Guttmann, founder of the Paralympic movement
Featured Sports: Disability Snooker, Para Dance Sport, Para Disc Golf, Para Laser Run, Para Tetrathlon, Standing Tennis, Wheelchair Ultimate Frisbee
Suggested Online Sources
Worldabilitysport.org/
Pajulahti.com/en/
Paralympia.fi/en/
Visitlahti.fi/en/
Paralympic.org/the-ipc/history-of-the-movement
