Are The Paralympics Patronising?

[dave50]

Just a thought. 

[bhg481]

No, it's only an extension of the handicap system having one set of a competition for males and one for females. You just have a finer categorisation depending on physical attributes in addition to sex.

[barry1010]

Only if the viewer has that attitude, dave.  You might find this article and video interesting, if you can spare a few minutes

https://www.creativebrief.com/bite/fuel-your-imagination/channel-4-challenges-patronising-attitudes-ahead-paris-2024-paralympic-games

[sddsddean]

Surely it would be more patronising to say something like "No, you can't go swimming...you have no legs and might drown...health and safety". Just my opinion!

[mushroom25]

// it's only an extension of the handicap system having one set of a competition for males and one for females. //

although in the paralympics, "sex" doesn't appear to be considered in their handicapping........

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/cpvymmpyjeko

[bhg481]

That's a separate argument, musshy, an argument that exists in all sports. There is an article in one of today's papers where a football team couldn't get enough players to field against another tean which had signed a trans goalie.

[barry1010]

bhg, the report that I read said the team couldn't field enough players, it stated it was unknown if the trans goalie was the cause.

[douglas9401]

I wouldn't know, I haven't watched any of it.

[barry1010]

I was suprised to learn that Adam Hills and others with his disability can't compete in the Paralympics Tennis because he doesn't use a wheelchair.  There is not a category for standing tennis.

He was told he would have to use a wheelchair but to be good enough for wheelchair tennis he would have to live in it full time for months, to come to rely on it so it became second nature.

[Old_Geezer]

I don't see them as patronising, but wonder how they work out how they can make whatever allowances are needed to allow one disabled individual to compete fairly against another with a different handicap. How can one be sure it's truly a level playing field ?

[douglas9401]

It may be the taking part that counts, OG.

[barry1010]

Paralympians have beaten Olympic world records - Marla Runyan, a blind runner, was faster than any previous Olympic runner.  She certainly didn't 'do well considering'.  She did well.

[barry1010]

OG, if you are really interested this throws some light on it

https://www.paralympic.org/classification

[bhg481]

It's interesting how different sports deal with the problem. Some of the wheelchair sports actually allow anybody to take part as the wheelchair serves to equalise them. Other sports (rugby is one) where players are rated handicap-wise and at any time the handicap total on the playing field is limited.

[bednobs]

have you looked at the related questions dave50?

[barry1010]

I hadn't, but I have now 😁

[ToraToraTora]

I don't think they are patronising, well not to the participants anyway. I do sometimes wonder what the disabilities are in some disciplines though and why they can't go in the main Olymipics.

[barry1010]

If you Google their names you'll find out, TTT

[Old_Geezer]

Quite a read, Barry; thanks.

But it seems to be summed up by setting a minimum disability criteria per event, and then trusting that grouping of athletes copes with the issue. Unsure what else they could do.

[brainiac]

Some of the categories seem very vague and competitors can't be competing on equal terms.

'Intellectual impairment' - what on earth does that consist of?

'Visual impairment' - again, to what extent exactly is the sight of all the participants impaired?  If I took my contact lenses out could I compete? 

[smurfchops]

Why are people with two working legs allowed in the cycle race anyway?