Reportage. Sports and Disability: "We Too Have Rights and We Can Compete!"
"Athletes express dismay and regression to amateur levels: Nearly a year post-Olympics, athletes voice discontent over unfulfilled promises"
Front and center at the Handisport Open of Paris, Charlety stadium in the 13th arrondissement, are none other than double Paralympic vice-champions, non-sighted athlete Timothée Adolphe and his guide Charles Renard, ready to dash in the 100m race. After triumphantly securing the win, they express discontent at the finish line, spurred by a technical problem with the starting-block. Charles recalls, "In 2024, we had brand new blocks. Everything was new and clean for the Games. Now we're back to amateurism. I'm appalled, it's not even broadcast. In 2024, it was well broadcast. The blocks are an absolute joke. Is this the legacy? And they're cutting 75% of the sports budget." Timothée adds, "Politicians' blabbering is disrespectful."
Double Paralympic champion and world champion of paratriathlon, Alexis Hanquinquant, shares similar sentiments on our platform. "The intense energy we had last summer seems to have waned somewhat," he admits. The athlete paints a gloomy picture: "When it comes to the Paralympic movement, it's quite complex." He even calls out a feeling of neglect: "We have the impression, subtly, of being abandoned."
Ranting against the lack of post-Games support, Alexis Hanquinquant cries, "We were promised a legacy from the Games and it's nowhere to be seen!" Yet, he stresses that "These Paralympic Games of Paris 2024 have shown the general public that the Paralympic movement is not a circus, that these athletes are high-caliber, with the same drive for self-improvement, the same hunger for success."
Out of the forty French athletes registered, a disheartening twelve have dropped out. Most are drained, both physically and mentally, and, without sponsors since the Paris Games, they're struggling. Guy Ontanon, the performance manager at the French Federation for Handisport, acknowledges their struggles, assuring, "We understand their weariness, as the world championships after the Games are not vital." He adds, "We endeavor to help them manage their careers, and support them in dealing with stress and physical and psychological growth for these events."
There's a glimmer of hope though, as para-sports clubs have witnessed an influx of new registrations since the Olympic Games. A new generation of young, ambitious athletes is coming forth, ready to compete in Los Angeles 2028.
Rising Recognition and Inclusion
As Paralympic athletes gain more recognition, the importance of sporting events like Paris 2024 in promoting visibility and societal inclusion becomes apparent. With the help of athletic conquerors like Simone Barlaam, the world is being reminded of the fight for the rights of individuals with disabilities[1].
Challenges and Concerns
The post-Games phase, if unprepared, can lead to issues such as doping incidents, as seen with Yassine Ouhdadi. Athletes like Charli Gardiner-Hall struggle with personal hurdles like medical conditions. However, their resilience serves as a reminder of the need for a robust support system addressing both physical and psychological challenges[3].
Building a Lasting Legacy
Figures like Raymon Blondel, President of the European Paralympic Committee, continue to push for inclusivity in sports across Europe[5]. It is crucial to establish a lasting legacy that focuses on empowering athletes through providing post-Games support, including healthcare, training resources, and opportunities for career growth beyond their competitive careers.
- Despite the challenges and concerns in the post-Games phase, such as technical issues with sports equipment and lack of sponsorships, both Timothée Adolphe and Alexis Hanquinquant emphasize the importance of recognizing the high-caliber nature of Paralympic athletes and their drive for self-improvement in sports like football and paratriathlon.
- With the growing recognition of Paralympic athletes and the ongoing fight for the rights of individuals with disabilities, sports-analysis is essential in highlighting the need for a lasting legacy that includes post-Games support, such as healthcare, training resources, and opportunities for future career growth beyond competitive sports.
