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Olympic news

Some Paralympians more equal than others

The Paralympics may do a lot to raise the status of people with disabilities in China, but "for every sign of progress there's an unpleasant reality," says Time's China blog. Many Sichuan earthquake orphans remain unadopted, mainly because they have a disability. There are still reasons to be hopeful, however, as the "spirit" on display during the Paralympic opening ceremony in Beijing may just be strong enough to extend out of the "arenas to the orphanages of Sichuan."
Yet doubts have already begun to "creep in" over the equality of the Games, says Simon Hart in the Telegraph, after witnessing Oscar Pistorius win the 100 metres on his state-of-the-art blades by "a margin of Usain Bolt proportions." Cambodian Vanna Kim, the only Paralympic representative from the landmine-laden country, came in last, wearing a "rudimentary" blade donated to him by South Korea. Such mismatches are evidence that "a huge class divide is emerging among Paralympians, both athletic and economic," one that is contrary to the ideals upon which the competition was founded, says Hart.

But Hong Kong's first equestrian Paralympian, Nelson Yip, offers a ray of light, says Agence France-Presse. Yip has had cerebral palsy since childhood, but his achievement in qualifying for the 2008 Games was just as much a victory over the "culture of victimhood" that has held back Asia's disabled athletes as it was his own disability. "In Asia, the whole culture of disability is difficult because people tend to be a victim...and that doesn't lead you to being a top athlete," said Australia's para-equestrian team coach, Mary Longden.

 

 

 

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