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Paralympics, are they patronising?
I know this is going to be controversial but what do people think of paralympics and other such sporting events for disabled people?
How can events be fair when there is such a wide range of disabilities competing together in the same event?
Surely some are going to be at an advantage with a lesser disability for a particular event.
If this is so then does it matter and if it doesnt matter, then doesnt it become just a gesture to the disabled rather than a serious competition and taking it further, if its not meant to be taken seriously, does it not then become patronising to the disabled? What are people's thoughts?
How can events be fair when there is such a wide range of disabilities competing together in the same event?
Surely some are going to be at an advantage with a lesser disability for a particular event.
If this is so then does it matter and if it doesnt matter, then doesnt it become just a gesture to the disabled rather than a serious competition and taking it further, if its not meant to be taken seriously, does it not then become patronising to the disabled? What are people's thoughts?
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According to paralympics.org:
"Classification is a structure for competition. Paralympic athletes have an impairment in body structures and functions that leads to a competitive disadvantage in sport. Consequently, criteria are put in place to ensure that winning is determined by skill, fitness, power, endurance, tactical ability and mental focus, the same factors that account for success in sport for athletes who are able-bodied.
The purposes for the criteria include:
Defining which impairment groups can compete in the various sports
Grouping athletes in classes defined by the degree of activity limitation related to the impairment and/or specific to the tasks in the sport.
Traditionally there are athletes who belong to six different disability groups in the Paralympic Movement: amputee, cerebral palsy, visual impairment, spinal cord injuries, intellectual disability and a group which includes all those that do not fit into the aforementioned groups (“les autres”).
When an athlete starts competing, they are allocated a class that may be reviewed throughout the athlete's career. Sports certify individuals to conduct the process of classification and these Officials are known as classifiers."
So this seems quite reasonable and not at all patronizing.
"Classification is a structure for competition. Paralympic athletes have an impairment in body structures and functions that leads to a competitive disadvantage in sport. Consequently, criteria are put in place to ensure that winning is determined by skill, fitness, power, endurance, tactical ability and mental focus, the same factors that account for success in sport for athletes who are able-bodied.
The purposes for the criteria include:
Defining which impairment groups can compete in the various sports
Grouping athletes in classes defined by the degree of activity limitation related to the impairment and/or specific to the tasks in the sport.
Traditionally there are athletes who belong to six different disability groups in the Paralympic Movement: amputee, cerebral palsy, visual impairment, spinal cord injuries, intellectual disability and a group which includes all those that do not fit into the aforementioned groups (“les autres”).
When an athlete starts competing, they are allocated a class that may be reviewed throughout the athlete's career. Sports certify individuals to conduct the process of classification and these Officials are known as classifiers."
So this seems quite reasonable and not at all patronizing.
It may be seen as partonising. Such is a personal decision. But if the participants are happy then there's not a problem.
There only becomes a problem when the fictional "six million dollar man" becomes reality and want to run their 10 second mile against those without aids. Of course there is also the slipperly slope to reach that situation.
There only becomes a problem when the fictional "six million dollar man" becomes reality and want to run their 10 second mile against those without aids. Of course there is also the slipperly slope to reach that situation.
In my opinion, fair play to people who have a disability, and especially to people who became disabled later in life but I do think a lot of what the paralympics are about is to boost the moral of disabled people.
At the end of the day, what's wrong with that. Just because it's not a spectator sport to the majority of people doesn't mean it doesn't serve a purpose.
At the end of the day, what's wrong with that. Just because it's not a spectator sport to the majority of people doesn't mean it doesn't serve a purpose.
Interesting point. I did wonder about the classification system with paralympic athletes - i.e. how it works?
The guy with the blades - Oliver Pitraeus I think - clearly far outclassed his fellow competitors when competing other disabled athletes, and is now competing agains able-bodied athletes. Quite frankly, I'd say his body with blades for legs is considerably more able than most (myself included) so what does abled/disabled really mean?
If someone can run 100m without their own legs in somewhere near 10 seconds, they're definitely not disabled in my book.
The guy with the blades - Oliver Pitraeus I think - clearly far outclassed his fellow competitors when competing other disabled athletes, and is now competing agains able-bodied athletes. Quite frankly, I'd say his body with blades for legs is considerably more able than most (myself included) so what does abled/disabled really mean?
If someone can run 100m without their own legs in somewhere near 10 seconds, they're definitely not disabled in my book.
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