Paralympics: what comes after the applause?
The Paralympic Games ended with a lavish party in Paris. "Appreciation and applause must be followed by acceptance and action", said Andrew Parsons, President of the Paralympic Committee. Europe's columnists agree - and point out good places to start.
We need a revolution
The Tagesspiegel hopes that the Games will have a lasting impact:
“Paris has seen an unprecedented leap in performance, which has electrified people beyond the confines of the competition and given the games a whole new dimension. Now it remains to be seen to what extent sport and politics will use this momentum to ensure full stands at upcoming European and World Championships that are organised beyond the 'Paralympics' brand. To promote inclusion. To also make popular sport more inclusive in a very practical way. If around the world people with disabilities gain access to sport, on the one hand it would be something that should be taken for granted, on the other, however, it would be truly revolutionary.”
Let the change begin
The Paralympics should kickstart improvements at all levels, La Croix demands:
“If the hopes that these Games have raised are not to collapse like a soufflé, it's up to every one of us to take the baton. ... And to contribute to real change in people's lives through everyday gestures as well as public policies: in transport and in schools, in doctor's surgeries and at the gym and by eliminating barriers at job interviews. ... This will all take time, but after this magical fortnight, it can all start happening now.”
Inequality starts at school...
Tygodnik Powszechny wants to see a new approach in school sports:
“In recent years Polish Paralympic athletes have done well in the medal rankings, often better than their peers in the Olympics themselves. ... The problem is that the achievements of Polish Paralympic athletes do not necessarily translate into equal opportunities for pupils with disabilities. Very often they are simply exempted from taking part in sports lessons. This is why the Polish Paralympic Committee is launching a pilot project to train sports teachers to make their lessons accessible for all pupils.”
... and culminates in less money for medals
24.hu is pained that the Hungarian state is fobbing off Paralympians with lower financial rewards:
“If there is one thing that would send a valuable and progressive message to society in relation to elite sport, it is the abolition of the direct, painfully obvious and even quantifiable discrimination between Olympians and Paralympians. ... But instead the state is using the reward system to openly declare that for it – and thus for the community of taxpayers – the successes of a Paralympians are worth only half as much as those of an Olympian athlete.”
Euphoria should also encourage inclusion
The euphoria inspired by the Paralympics can help to overcome many hurdles, La Croix writes:
“Of course one could point out the contradictions between our enthusiasm for the Paralympic Games and the cruel shortcomings when it comes to the inclusion of people with disabilities. Although progress has been made, public transport accessibility to the competition venues has been limited. And, as one of many examples, Unapei, the National Organisation of Parents of People with Intellectual Disabilities, warned this week that thousands of children will not have access to proper education at the start of the new school year. ... But let's not just throw in the towel. We should celebrate the Paralympics as much as we celebrated the Olympics and give this momentum a chance to propel us towards even greater inclusion.”
This is where funding sports really makes sense
Public funding is much better spent on athletes with disabilities, writes Expresso:
“Every four years, we realise how little we invest in sports other than football. Then we complain that the state doesn't support athletes and that we can't expect them to win medals with so little investment. ... In terms of benefits for society, investing in the Paralympics is far more important than in the Olympic Games. Public money spent on sport for people with disabilities is much more useful than medals that just stroke our egos for a few days.”
Turkey's name in golden letters
After Turkey's lackluster performance in the Summer Olympics, Posta celebrates its victories in the Paralympics:
“Following the two gold medals we won in Tokyo 2020, the three gold, five silver and two bronze medals we won in the first three days of Paris 2024 are an indication of Turkey's progress in Paralympic sports. These successes achieved by our athletes thanks to their determination, willpower and national spirit are just the beginning. ... Endless gratitude goes to our athletes, who are the authors of these achievements, and to all those who have contributed to them. Our athletes continue to write the name of Turkey in golden letters.”