WHAT’S IN A NAME?! And why is it so hard for people to JUST use it and show RESPECT for it?!
I get that it’s not always intentional… but it should be.
The Paralympic Games are NOT the Olympic Games, not the Special Olympics, not the Invictus Games, nor the Minor Leagues – THEY ARE THE PARALYMPIC GAMES and the athletes who compete in them are PARALYMPIANS.
“…calling me an Olympian takes away from what I have achieved in becoming a Paralympian. The physical challenges I grew up with, the struggles I went through, these are all cheapened by calling me an Olympian instead of a Paralympian.” Chuck Aoki | article “Not an Olympian”
The word “Paralympic” is derived from two words: the Greek preposition “para” (beside or alongside) and the word “Olympic”. Its meaning is symbolic of the fact that the Paralympic Games are the parallel Games to the Olympic Games and is intended to illustrate how two SEPARATE movements exist side-by-side.
So what are the Paralympic Games – besides a name?!
”SPIRIT IN MOTION” is the motto for the Paralympic Games which occur every four years in parallel, and similarly, to the Olympic Games but are solely for athletes with a disability impairment. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is the governing body of the Paralympic Games and movement. The IPC has established ten eligible impairment categories, including physical, visual, and intellectual impairment and athletes are grouped within these categories by the degree of their activity limitation from the impairment. Eligible athletes within the categories can compete in the Paralympics, however not every sport can allow for every disability category.
ParaAthletics is a great example: due to its multi-disciplinary events (running, jumping, throwing) and the fact that the sport includes athletes of all 10 eligible impairments, ParaAthletics has OVER 50 sport classes!! – because of this not all classes are allocated an event for each discipline on the Paralympic roster (or else ParaAthletics alone could see the Paralympic Games becoming a 3 month long event). So it sucks to be you if your medal winning event isn’t on the Paralympic roster… but then again, that’s the Paralympics: – a beacon for inspiration and a culture of adaptability. What’s your next best event?
So what does all this event stuff mean?!
Let’s run over a quick 100m sprint
In track events traditionally there are four rounds of competition: heats, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and finals.
At the OLYMPICS there are always two classes per event – male and female.
So at the Olympics that’s TWO 100m sprint classes to run which means there are 8 rounds of competition.
At the PARALYMPICS there are multiple classes for an event.
At the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games there were 16 male and 14 female, that’s THIRTY, 100m sprint classes to be run which means there were ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY (120) rounds of competition JUST FOR THE 100M SPRINT!!
… these two scenarios just aren’t comparable.
“In our noble effort to be seen as equals, we lose the essence of what makes us unique. Overcoming physical challenges in our lives to become elite athletes is how Paralympians are different from Olympians. Our ability to inspire others with what we have been able to do in spite of our physical challenges is a crucial part of being a Paralympian. After all, the Paralympic vision says we should “Inspire and excite the world.” Which brings me back to my original question: Why did it feel wrong to be called an Olympian?” Chuck Aoki | article “Not an Olympian”
In answer to Chuck’s question:
“BECAUSE WE ARE PROUDLY PARALYMPIANS!”
When was the last time you got up at 3am just so that you could be ready (showered, shaved, and dressed) for your 10am appointment? Paralympic athletes overcome daily challenges well in advance of their efforts on the Paralympic stage. Beyond the self-care of daily living, “people with a disability are faced with workplaces which do not support those who work differently, public spaces which reject those who look different, and social norms which shame those who communicate differently.” (Erin O’Brien | article “Disabled by society: Paralympians face challenges beyond the field”)
Far from lesser than, Paralympians are additionally exceptional because they defy added adversity whilst persevering for excellence – and they do it all with less extrinsic motivation: “the Paralympic athletes don’t get as much funding as the Olympic athletes…also earn less in financial awards for medals and earn fewer stipends throughout their careers. Overall, less media exposure and national recognition is granted to these athletes…Not only are these people highly skilled in their fields, but they also defeated their disabilities. They display great determination and courage to overcome mental and physical obstacles. They are truly inspirational because they prove that few things are impossible.” Hania Osmen | article “The Paralympics are just as important as the Olympics”
So what’s in a name?!
It’s The PARALYMPIC GAMES
and we are PARALYMPIANS.
And just in case you missed it…
Why are the two events separate? “It’s two different things: the International Olympic Committee [IOC] represents able-bodied athletes, while the International Paralympic Committee [IPC] represents Paralympic athletes,” Craig Spence, director of communications at the IPC.