Leveling The Playing Field

    The relationship between Paralympics and Special Olympics has been a debate for a very long time. This debate has been primarily about whether these two categories of people should be in competition with each other or separated in the athletic aspect. There is most definitely a fine line between the two; these events both honor athletes with disabilities, but they differ in the purpose and scope of the actual competition. With those two simple differences, it shows people that it is best if they stay separated because it helps highlight the integrity and mission of each separate movement. There is, of course, the other thought of whether one specific category of people with intellectual disabilities should be able to even compete in the Paralympics. This specific part is a more challenging category to differentiate and requires more time, consideration, and classification, depending on the sport, to ensure fairness for everyone who competes. The separation does not mean isolation; these movements can work side by side to create opportunities for people with disabilities.  

    In my personal opinion, I think that these two sports should remain separate from each other. The first reason is that their philosophies differ from each other. The Special Olympics are seen as more wholesome in inclusion and personal growth of an individual. People at any level are encouraged to compete to see courage and improvement rather than just winning. On the other hand, the Paralympics is more about building an elite high-performance athlete, even with their disability. These athletes need to meet a strict criterion to be able to compete in competitions at an international level. If we were to combine these two programs, there would be an increase in unfairness, which would cause a rise in debate and other external issues, amongst others. Combining elite competition with a sport that focuses on inclusion of everyone regardless of skill level can cause the loss of philosophy, especially for the Special Olympics.

   Another reason is the difference in classification systems. Special Olympics is for intellectual disabilities and adapts to various ability levels without strict criteria, focusing on cognitive improvement. Paralympics include different types of impairments and require a strict classification process for fairness. Merging these systems could overcomplicate competition and reduce fairness.
   I think that individuals with intellectual disabilities should be allowed to participate in the Paralympics to a certain extent, depending on the criteria. The main reason I say to an extent is because of the fairness and opportunity. I say this because some people who have intellectual disabilities are fully capable of competing at the elite level. The issue is that the intellectual disabilities vary widely. It is easier to differentiate physical disabilities since it is more consistent. There were many past scandals that caused there to be stricter rules and restrictions when classifying who is able to compete. One scandal in particular in the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games, it was stated that "It emerged that several members of the Spanish basketball team that took the gold in the category for intellectual disability were faking their supposed impairments" (France 24, 2021). After this, they banned all sports involving intellectual disability, which affected the following two Paralympic Games. Then, in 2009, IPC created a new system for classifying intellectual disabilities.
    Athletes should have clear criteria for a fair playing field. Not all athletes fit the Paralympic model, which focuses on high performance. Some individuals may benefit more from the inclusive environment of Special Olympics. The IPC prioritizes both inclusivity and fairness, so clear requirements are vital. Overall, both programs can work together for greater inclusivity. 

Athletes with intellectual disability ...

References

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

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