No, I do not want to combine the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Tokyo Paralympic Games will commence on August 24th, and it promises to be a thrilling sporting spectacle, showcasing the world’s most elite athletes.
It’s around this time, just before the Paralympic Games begin every four years, that people start suggesting the Olympics should include athletes with a disability.
Interestingly, I’m often met with this as a statement from non-disabled people. The assumption is often made that as a Paralympian I must want the Games to be integrated, because calling myself an Olympian is better than calling myself a Paralympian.
So, when I respond saying ‘no’ I do not want the two events to be combined, people are slightly bewildered.
It’s not really a question of whether athletes with a disability can or could compete, Para-athletes have been competing against able-bodied rivals for more than 100 years, long before the formation of the Paralympic Games in 1960 – it’s more complex than this, and it’s a highly contested debate even among Paralympians ourselves.
Great British Paralympic long jumper Ryan Raghoo says; "People can win multiple Paralympic gold medals and not even be known in their own country, let alone be international superstars. I don't see why there should be any difference because you've got a disability; that's segregation. I get a lot of stick for this, but when I present myself, I present myself as an Olympian. I don't describe myself as a Paralympian."
Although I understand what Raghoo is saying here, I fundamentally disagree that combining the two events would solve these issues. What we are really talking about is societal perception, and the recognition that Paralympians are given, or not given as is often the case.
Other arguments in favour of the Games being merged, include:
Equal coverage - Paralympians receiving equal coverage with Olympians; by giving all events the recognition they deserve, and all competitors the recognition they deserve; this would lead to better recognition of the accomplishments of Paralympic athletes, leading to better funding, resources and opportunities for often overlooked sports.
Medal Table - some also claim that, with a combined medal table, countries wanting to finish high in the Olympic medals – but traditionally focus less on Paralympics – would have to invest considerably in their Paralympic athletes in order to maintain their top rankings.
A discipline in its own right - Another point in favour, is that fans watching a combined Games would be able to see the incredible adaptions for the Paralympics, and by seeing how different the sports are, the Paralympic ‘versions’ would be seen as disciplines in their own right.
Inclusion – British broadcaster, Mik Scarlet believes that ‘Combining the Olympic and Paralympic Games would be the single biggest global act of inclusion… it would say to the world that disabled and non-disabled athletes are entirely equal’
All are reasonable arguments, however I disagree. Here's Why;
Notably the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding which will run through 2032 and will build on the current partnerships and cooperation agreements.
If the IOC and IPC were to consider merging the Games, they would have to take cognisance of the following pertinent points:
Athletes with a disability would still be competing against other athletes with a disability, and able-bodied athletes would still compete against each other.
Therefore, this would result in more events added to the schedule which would be unmanageable.
No doubt this would result in decisions to remove some events – who would be the decision makers, and what events stay and what events go?
More events mean more athletes and more staff. This would result in the need for larger athletes’ villages, more transport infrastructure and more volunteers, making both the event and legacy plans even more complex to manage.
(Danish economic geographer, Bent Flybvbjerg, has published many articles on the struggles that host cities face, ‘The Olympic Games are the largest, highest-profile, and most expensive megaevent hosted by cities and nations. Every Olympics since 1960 has run over budget, at an average of 172 percent in real terms, the highest overrun on record for any type of megaproject.)
I like the sentiment of inclusivity, however disagree with the argument that combining the events would represent a global triumph in inclusion. ‘Inclusion’ is not about combining two major events; it’s about inviting everyone to compete on a level playing field. But the fact is, there are fundamental differences between able bodied athletes and athletes with a disability – why is that such a bad thing?
I’m not denying discrimination exists within the sporting world, my own Paralympic experience was bitter-sweet. Wearing the Green and Gold and representing Australia at the Paralympic Games in Athens was the proudest moment in my life, and I’m grateful that the Paralympic Games exists to offer elite athletes with a disability a platform to showcase their incredible abilities to the world. However, the journey to reach the pinnacle of my sporting career had its added challenges. For years I struggled to financially support myself through university and full-time training. It was incredibly tough to see my training buddies receive scholarships and endorsements while I struggled to afford groceries, many times I questioned why I was being treated differently.
After watching my idols compete in previous Paralympic Games, and seeing the little recognition they received, I knew I was less likely to get the same status, media exposure or sponsorship opportunities as my fellow Olympians. And while Olympic Games consistently attract major global attention no matter where they are held, the Paralympics are dependent on the host nation’s willingness to devote equal attendance and resources to both events. But at the time I was competing, I just wanted to swim. I was naïve to the funding and political issues. It wasn’t until my retirement from the sport that I realised just how much it had impacted me.
I believe the reasons people support the idea of a combined Games is more a social issue rather than a sporting one.
As a young female living with a disability, learning to accept my differences has been a far greater challenge than any swimming race I’ve competed in.
Growing up, I was told to honour my differences and embrace my abilities, it took a few decades, but I have. Stepping on to the world stage as a Paralympic swimmer helped me to learn to be proud of my disability and I believe my differences should be celebrated.
The Paralympic Movement is gathering more and more momentum, so I fear combining the two events would dilute what each represents.
I think its also important to understand the history as well as the evolution of the Paralympic movement.
The legendary Sir Ludwig Guttmann is credited as the man responsible for founding the Paralympic Games and the Paralympic Movement as a whole. Guttmann was one of the leading pre-World War II neurologists in Germany and worked at the Jewish Hospital in Breslau.
In 1939, Guttmann was forced to flee to England as World War II broke out, and in 1944, with the war coming to an end, Guttmann was asked by the British government to create the National Spinal Injuries Centre at the Stoke Mandeville Hospital. At this time, there were many British casualties from the War who required the services at Stoke Mandeville. Guttmann was a huge believer in the power of sport to change lives. He believed sport was an excellent method of therapy for those with a physical disability to help them build physical strength and self-respect.
On 29th July 1948, Guttmann organised a sports competition for British World War II veteran patients with spinal cord injuries. These were known as the Stoke Mandeville Games. The Stoke Mandeville Games have been described as the precursors of the Paralympic Games and it was at these Games that the Paralympic Movement was born.
By 1960, the Games had become widely renowned, and they left Stoke Mandeville for the first time in their history and were held in Rome, following the Rome 1960 Olympic Games. Still known as the Stoke Mandeville Games at the time, they were considered to be the first of the official Paralympic Games, however the only disability that was included was spinal cord injury.
Since the first Games in Rome in 1960, the Paralympics have grown exponentially in size and scale.
On 22 September 1989, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) was founded as an international non-profit organisation in Dusseldorf, Germany, to act as the global governing body of the Paralympic Movement.
IPC’s Vision: Make for an inclusive world through Para sport.
IPC’s Mission: To lead the Paralympic Movement, oversee the delivery of the Paralympic Games and support members to enable Para athletes achieve sporting excellence.
The word “Paralympic” derives from the Greek preposition “para” (beside or alongside) and the word “Olympic”. Its meaning is that the Paralympics are the parallel Games to the Olympics and illustrates how the two movements exist side-by-side.
Today, the event provides a platform for Para athletes with a diverse range of disabilities to showcase their outstanding abilities to millions of spectators and billions of TV viewers.
We’ve come a long way and it is my opinion that we should stop comparing the two events, and instead continue to promote diversity and inclusion through honouring our Paralympic athletes at an event that is solely for them.
If we are concerned that Paralympic athletes don’t get the recognition they deserve, then we need to ask ourselves, why?
People living with a disability make up 15% of the global population, that’s 1 billion people.
Therefore, it is evident that disability sport in general needs more funding, more exposure, and more respect, with increased media coverage.
I’m proud to say that the Seven Network will proudly bring Australian viewers the biggest and best Paralympic coverage ever for Tokyo 2020. Seven’s commentary team will also boast the greatest number of Paralympians ever assembled for an Australian broadcast, making up half of Seven’s on-air line-up for Tokyo 2020.
This stellar group includes Paralympic greats Kurt Fearnley, Annabelle Williams, Katrina Webb, Priya Cooper, Tim Matthews, Jessica Gallagher, Nick Morris and Bryce Alman, along with current Paralympians Ryley Batt and Curtis McGrath.
With a remarkable 23 Paralympic Gold medals between them, they will bring unrivalled experience, knowledge and understanding to Seven’s coverage.
When people with a disability are seen as whole human beings and treated with respect, only then will we see this reflected in the way Paralympians are treated.
I’m a proud Australian Paralympic swimmer, and I don’t believe Paralympians need a Games merger to boost their profile.
What do you think?
