Introduction
A professional passion for sports is a way not only to improve health but also to interact with athletes from different countries. People associated with this environment participate in international competitions, prove their achievements, and train the developed skills. However, for many people, playing sports at a professional level is complicated due to various incapacities that do not allow them to show their physical potential to the fullest. The organization of the Paralympic Games is a valuable opportunity for people with disabilities to participate in international competitions and show their skills to the world. The current 2022 Winter Paralympic Games in Beijing proves that the conditions created allow building a favorable environment for the involvement of athletes with disabilities and provide free access to sports at the international level.
2022 Winter Paralympic Games Opportunities
The example of the current Paralympic Games has shown that the organization of sports at the international level can address relevant issues regarding not only access to competitions but also the attendant difficulties that athletes with disabilities face. For instance, Fagher et al. (2022) note the acclimatization challenges that Paralympic athletes have to overcome and mention the positive experience of Beijing, where modern technology is applied to create conditions for successful training in the most favorable conditions. This focus on athletes shows that the organizers of the Games are aware of the limitations that competitors face and are trying to minimize the barriers that arise.
The Beijing Paralympic Games provide an opportunity to broaden the spectrum of involvement for athletes with disabilities by addressing a variety of sports. As Liu et al. (2022) state, the increase in the number of young athletes invited to these Games indicates that the concerns of this vulnerable category of people are being addressed responsibly with a focus on their interests and concerns. The authors note the potential for the development of Paralympic sports not only in China but also worldwide since the Games of this magnitude reflect the views of the entire international sports community (Liu et al., 2022). As an elite competitive event, the 2022 Winter Paralympic Games offer a wide range of possibilities for athletes and consider not only safety but also health aspects by offering convenient rehabilitation programs (Liu et al., 2022). Therefore, on the example of these Games, future competitions at such an international level can adopt the current experience of the organizers in Beijing to eliminate any restrictions and obstacles for athletes with disabilities to successfully realize their potential.
Modern Paralympic sport in the east has taken on a new form in recent years. Ayers and Misra (2022) cite the latest Winter Games in Tokyo as an example and note the significant rise in the level of organization of this event. As the authors remark, “para-sport was initially advertised for rehabilitation;” however, today, such competitions mean much more than only supporting athletes with disabilities (Ayers & Misra, 2022, p. 3). According to Salerno et al. (2022), the Paralympic movement has acquired an elite format and become inseparable from the traditional Olympic Games. Athletes participating in winter sports are provided with the conditions that them to show sports talents to the fullest, and this is largely realized through an advanced technological and organizational base. The Paralympic Games in Beijing offer athletes 78 medal disciplines in six sports, and due to great attention to the needs of participants, they can show their best.
Potential Counterarguments
While equal access is essential to participation in the Paralympic Games, some skeptics have expressed doubts about the fairness of such a competitive process. For instance, as Cherif et al. (2022) note, “the type of disability affects performance,” which is a reason to condemn the Paralympic Movement for unequal opportunities (p. e09023). Another controversial position that finds its public reflection is the risky nature of the competition, which, despite the rallying of athletes, endangers their health and causes additional health issues, thereby slowing down the rehabilitation process. Salerno et al. (2022) argue that injury prevention is a significant factor to address at the Paralympic Games, and although the authors analyze swimming, which is traditionally a summer sport, in winter disciplines, the risks of injury are no less, if not greater. These positions challenge the safe and fair background of Paralympic competitions.
Rebuttal of the Counterarguments
Despite the aforementioned counterarguments, the actual participation of athletes in the 2022 Winter Games is not associated with unequal access and health risks. Fagher et al. (2022) state that participants are categorized according to the type of disability, and there is no chance that one participant can be stronger than others because everyone is on an equal footing. The corresponding performance metrics also meet pre-defined criteria, which eliminates the chances of an unfair and subjective assessment. Regarding the issue of injuries, as Liu et al. (2022) note, winter sports always involve risks, no matter who participates in such events. In Beijing, all conditions are met to minimize the threats to athletes’ health, which is ensured through the careful preparation of ski and snowboard trails, the effective organization of the competition regime, and other conventions that determine safety. Thus, by building on the experience of the current Games, the organizers of future Paralympic competitions can create a safe and equal environment for the participation of athletes from different countries, which is in line with the key principles of a sport free from political and social prejudice.
Conclusions
Athletes around the world should be able to count on equal access to the Paralympic Games, and the example of the current 2022 Winter Games in Beijing is a role model to follow for future organizers. The public should not equate sports events in which participants with disabilities are involved with the unfair or dangerous competition. Through the active involvement of athletes and the rejection of prejudice, people with physical or mental disabilities can expect equal treatment and an opportunity to display their individual potential and athletic talent to the fullest. Therefore, control over fair participation is a mandatory organizational aspect.
References
Ayers, K., & Misra, A. (2022). “More than medals” sets the stage for Tokyo Paralympics first-of-its-kind historical analysis. Review of Disability Studies: An International Journal, 17(4), 1-8.
Cherif, M., Said, M. A., Bannour, K., Alhumaid, M. M., Chaifa, M. B., Khammassi, M., & Aouidet, A. (2022). Anthropometry, body composition, and athletic performance in specific field tests in Paralympic athletes with different disabilities.Heliyon, 8(3), e09023. Web.
Fagher, K., Baumgart, J. K., Solli, G. S., Holmberg, H. C., Lexell, J., & Sandbakk, Ø. (2022). Preparing for snow-sport events at the Paralympic Games in Beijing in 2022: Recommendations and remaining questions.BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 8(1), e001294. Web.
Liu, Y., Ainsworth, B. E., & Müller, E. (2022). Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games: Commitments to science and public health. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 11(1), 1-2. Web.
Salerno, J., Tow, S., Regan, E., Bendziewicz, S., McMillan, M., & Harrington, S. (2022). Injury and injury prevention in United States para swimming: A mixed-methods approach. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 17(2), 293. Web.