The Olympics occur every four years, attracting millions of viewers worldwide. However, many people are unaware that there are also games held after the Olympics, known as the Paralympics.
The first Paralympic Games took place in Rome in 1960. They took place six days after the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games. According to parlympics.org, the 1960 games had approximately 5,000 spectators in attendance.
The 2024 Paris Paralympics was an 11-day event that ran from August 28 to September 8. According to sportspromedia.com, the 2024 Olympics drew 30.1 million viewers in the United States. In comparison, about 15.4 million people in the U.S. watched the 2024 Paralympics, as reported by thinkglobalhealth.org. Although the games have seen an increase in viewership, they still face challenges in achieving the same level of recognition and media coverage as the Olympics.
The Paralympics should get the same media coverage as the Olympics
The Olympics are the most popular sporting event in the world, attracting more than 5 billion viewers worldwide, according to roadtrip.com. It brings together thousands of athletes from more than 200 countries. The games not only highlight sports such as gymnastics and swimming. They also feature team sports, such as volleyball and basketball. These games encourage international sportsmanship which makes them an important way of honoring achievements in countries.
On the other hand, the Paralympics showcase the achievements, resilience, and determination of athletes who push boundaries despite their physical and mental challenges. The physical challenges that athletes face can range from mining a limb to being in a wheelchair. While the mental challenges can range from intellectual disabilities to problems affecting development.
Despite the performances of the Paralympics, the games don’t get as much attention as the Olympics for many reasons. One of them being the lack of awareness of them. “I think that they should not just have advertisements when the Paralympics are on, but continue with them and tell people how to watch them,” said Danielle Allen, a teacher at Colonia High School.
By increasing media coverage, we can recognize more athletes like Tatyana McFadden and Matt Stutzman. Two athletes who have competed in the 2024 Paralympics.
Athletes of the Games
There are many notable athletes to watch during the Paralympics. Two that stand out are Tatyana McFadden and Matt Stutzman. McFadden is an advocate for disabled athletes and has competed in seven Paralympics in track and field. She is considered the ‘fastest woman in the world’ and is also the most decorated para track and field athlete. She holds more than 20 Paralympic medals, 24 World Marathon Wins, and 5 world records in track and field.
Through her work, she has shown a need for social change in the world and a dedication to empowering others. “Disability is not a taboo. It’s okay to talk about it and say the word disabled. Oftentimes, I think society feels that if they say the word “disabled,” they are offending a person with a disability,” said McFadden in an interview with Authority Magazine.
Stutzman is a prominent advocate for individuals with disabilities, as well as a talented Paralympic archer. Distinctively, he has made history as the first athlete to compete in archery without the use of his hands. His remarkable achievements not only challenge societal perceptions of disability. They also inspire resilience and determination within the disabled community and beyond.
Stutzman has competed in 4 Paralympics, has won 2 Paralympic medals and has also inspired other para archers. “There’re more armless archers involved in this sport now. You can take away all my medals, and I wouldn’t care, because that (his legacy) would be my medal,” Stutzman said in an interview with World Archery Magazine.
Importance of Media Coverage
People may not watch the Paralympics for many reasons, including unawareness of the games, misconception and limited accessibility. Many people may not know when the games are taking place or that they exist.
Additionally, some people may look at the games as too focused on the disability of the athletes. Media coverage is critical in raising awareness for the Paralympic games. The media can take many forms, such as ads and social media that share behind the scenes content. Articles can also help educate the public on the Paralympics and discuss relevant issues. By increasing the media surrounding the games, it can reach a wider range of people and encourage adaptive sports.
