Meet Joan Horan, Ireland's forgotten Paralympic gold medalist

Analysis: The first Irish woman to compete in Paralympics won gold in 1960 in archery and swimming, but remains largely unknown and uncelebrated

The Paralympic Games is the largest and most significant sporting event that takes place globally for athletes with a disability. Team Ireland has enjoyed much success at the Paralympics, including the two gold medals won at the first Paralympics in 1960 by Joan Horan. But the use of patronising language when reporting on Horan's success and a lack of widespread celebration of her athletic abilities has meant that Ireland has failed to truly recognise its first Paralympic medallist.

Although sports clubs for athletes with an impairment had been in existence since 1888, with sports clubs for the deaf in Berlin, it was not until after World War II that they became more widespread. The purpose of these sports clubs at that time was to assist the large number of war veterans and civilians who had been injured during wartime.

The 1948 Olympic Games in London marked a milestone for athletes who use wheelchairs when the International Wheelchair Games took place and paved the way for the Paralympic Games. The first Paralympics took place in Rome in 1960 and featured 400 athletes from 23 countries, including Ireland. A team of five athletes represented Ireland at the first Paralympics and competed in swimming, table tennis, club throwing, javelin and archery events.

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Footage from the first Paralympics in Rome in 1960

Their participation was