Blog #9: Special Olympics vs. Paralympics

I think that the Special Olympics should remain separate from the Paralympics because they are both unique in their own ways and they allow those with physical disabilities and intellectual disabilities to shine in their own ways. The Special Olympics has a distinct purpose to make fair games for those with intellectual disabilities especially those with autism and Down syndrome. This allows them to stand out with their abilities and gives them the help they need. While the Paralympics are athletes who just have physical disabilities and do not struggle with intellectual disabilities. Keeping them separate will let both Olympics shine in their own way. Keeping them separate also will allow them to gain the attention and media attention that they both deserve.

The Paralympics is “a series of international contests for athletes with disabilities that are associated with and held following the summer and winter Olympic Games” (Miriam Webster). The Paralympic Games are for athletes who have physical disabilities and are not able to compete in the Olympics. At the Paralympics, these athletes can perform and play the sport they love even with a disadvantage.

Click this LINK to understand the difference between the two!!

I believe that individuals with intellectual disabilities should not compete in Paralympic events. The Paralympics have worked hard to establish their own identity, just as the Special Olympics has created an incredible platform with strong participation. Combining the two would undermine their distinct purposes, potentially disadvantaging athletes with more severe intellectual disabilities who may not meet Paralympic standards. Keeping them separate ensures that both athletes with physical disabilities and those with intellectual disabilities have their own dedicated space to showcase their talents and achievements.

In this article, it discusses the challenges faced by athletes with intellectual disabilities in participating in the Paralympic Games. Despite the growth of the Paralympic movement, the space available for athletes with a range of different intellectual impairments remains limited, with only three sports open to them in the Tokyo Paralympics. The article also examines the history of the inclusion of athletes with intellectual disabilities in the Paralympics, including a scandal that led to their exclusion from the 2004 and 2008 Games, and the efforts to reintegrate them into the competition.

The most infamous case occurred at the 2000 Sydney Paralympics, where it was discovered that the Spanish basketball team had included athletes without intellectual disabilities, leading to a major scandal. As a result, athletes with intellectual disabilities were barred from competing in the 2004 and 2008 Games while the classification system was overhauled. Since their reinstatement in 2012, participation has been severely limited, with only a few sports—including athletics, swimming, and table tennis. 

This restricted access continues to be a major issue. Many advocates argue that more should be done to expand opportunities for these athletes, particularly given the broader Paralympic movement’s commitment to inclusivity. However, classification and eligibility verification remain significant challenges, as ensuring fairness while preventing potential abuse is a delicate balance.

Here is a LINK to an ESPN 30 for 30 clip about the cheating scandal!!

Sources: 

Special Olympics. (n.d.). Special Olympics. https://www.specialolympics.org/

International Paralympic Committee. (n.d.). International Paralympic Committee. https://www.paralympic.org/

Happe, L. (2021, August 31). Athletes with intellectual disability battle for Paralympic space. France 24. https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210831-athletes-with-intellectual-disability-battle-for-paralympic-space

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Paralympics. Merriam-Webster.com. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Paralympics

McLaughlin, M. (2021, September 18). The fight to get learning disability athletes back to the Paralympics. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-58598677