Paralympics and Special Olympics are athletic programs for people with disabilities. The two are often confused in that the names are used interchangeably by persons unfamiliar with disability sports events. There is no overlapping between the two programs; the merits of each are clearly defined.
Paralympics Games and Athletes
Paralympics is a highly specialized and organized sporting event that features the topmost athletes with disabilities from around the world competing in adapted versions of Olympic events. Second only to the traditional Olympic Games – the largest sporting event in the world – Paralympics athletes are the best in their individual sports fields.
The Paralympics Games take place two weeks after the summer and winter schedule of Olympic Games. The events are held in the same host city, and participants use the same facilities as the able-bodied Olympic athletes. Paralympic games are divided into five categories:
- Spinal Cord Injury/Paralyzed/Wheelchair User
- Amputee/Dwarfism/Other
- Blind or Visually Impaired
- Intellectual Disability*
- Traumatic Brain Injury/Cerebral Palsy/Stroke
*Rebecca Ralston of the Special Olympics Communications Department was kind enough to send (the author) an email on March 16, 2010, that included the following information: "Athletes with Intellectual Disabilities are currently not allowed to participate in the Paralympics Games; however, they will be re-included in the London 2012 Paralympics Games ..." The decision follows a suspension incident that took place in the 2001 Sydney Paralympics.
Paralympics athletes must adhere to the same disciplined regimen as those athletes that compete in the traditional Olympic Games. Shmuel Ross of The Fact Monster Web site, "Paralympics" explains the governing body of the Paralympics Games: "The Paralympics are coordinated by the International Paralympic Committee, founded in 1989 ... which is the only international organization representing all sports and disabilities."
Additionally, the Fact Monster Web site offers a sneak preview of what fans can expect at the 2010 Winter Paralympics Games, "The 2010 Winter Games will feature events in Alpine Skiing, Nordic Skiing, Ice Sledge Hockey, and Wheelchair Curling."
The Athletics World Championships in Berlin (1994), marked the first year that athletes having an intellectual disability could participate in a Paralympics event. In 1996, the "Intellectual Disabilities" category appeared in the Atlanta Paralympics Games for the first time. (Rempel, Helga, EnableLink Web site, "The Circle is Broken")
Athletes with intellectual disabilities can now compete alongside other elite athletes with physical disabilities; however, it should be noted that those athletes intellectually challenged are also world class participants. Athlete Kendall Bailey has multiple disabilities that include autism, cerebral palsy, and intellectual disability. He's also one of the fastest breast stroke swimmers in the world. Bailey competed in the 2008 Summer Paralympics.
Special Olympics Games are More than Sports Events
The Special Olympics movement is a well-known and highly respected program for child and adult athletes having intellectual disabilities. The program is open to all applicants that are mentally challenged and may include beginning athletes as well as accomplished athletes. Competition in Special Olympic events is tough. Spectators often come away with the same winning feeling as the participants. But the victory does not end when the crowds go home. A person with an intellectual disability can accomplish all sorts of goals when given the opportunity.
Sensitivity and understanding aren't the only concepts Special Olympics teaches the world. Celebrated Special Olympics athlete Loretta Claiborne went on to compete in twenty-five marathons, including two Boston Marathons. Loretta has a mild intellectual disability, but that hardly defines the young woman who speaks four languages and holds honorary doctorate degrees, just to name just a few of her outstanding achievements. Claiborne is not alone; many other Special Olympic athletes have gained the confidence and recognition to empower themselves and those around them.
As clearly explained on the Special Olympics Web site, the article, "Fostering Inclusion and Acceptance" states, "Part of the Special Olympics mission is educating people about the dignity and gifts of all people, not only those who have intellectual disabilities." And, "Special Olympics is working in nearly 200 countries worldwide to open the minds of all people to the gifts and talents of people with intellectual disabilities."
One Winning Goal for All
Paralympics athletes train and compete in adapted hard-core athletic events like those seen in the traditional Olympic Games. Spectators planning to attend the 2012 games will see that Paralympic athletes with intellectual disabilities are also highly-skilled world-class competitors.
The Special Olympics program welcomes both children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Inclusion, tolerance, and empowerment are but three of the many lessons the Special Olympics movement teaches. Special Olympians can progress through levels of competition just as professional athletes do. Years of hard work and dedication pay off when an athlete is chosen to participate in the Special Olympic World Games.
Athletes with disabilities participate in adapted sports of all kinds, including extreme sports. Paralympics athletes and Special Olympics athletes promote inclusion and acceptance, but don't expect any of these games to be less exciting than those played by able-bodied athletes. Whatever the sports program, spectators should be prepared for plenty of skilled action, heart-stopping excitement, and contagious energy.
Mary King - Mary King is a Suite101 Topic Editor for the Caregiver Support and Home Management sections. She has authored 5 teen-based novels.
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