Reflections from the Paris Paralympics: Overcoming Barriers in Sport and Business

This past weekend, I had the privilege of attending an athletics session at the Paris Paralympics. The competition was nothing short of inspiring, with standout GB performances from Hannah Cockroft’s victory in the T34 100m final and Sabrina Fortune’s triumph in the F20 shot put event.

Having been involved in the London 2012 Games, I’ve long been passionate about the role of the Paralympics in advancing inclusion. The origins of the Paralympic movement, which began in the aftermath of World War II when Dr. Ludwig Guttman established a spinal injuries unit at Stoke Mandeville, serve as a powerful reminder of how far we’ve come. The 1948 Stoke Mandeville Games marked a key milestone in this journey, but significant challenges remain for disabled athletes.

Challenges Faced by Disabled Athletes:

• Accessibility: Despite efforts to improve accessibility, cities like Paris still present significant challenges in terms of transport and infrastructure. This issue is a recurring one across many host cities of the Games.
• Social Stigma: Negative stereotypes and misconceptions about disability persist, often leading to exclusion and a reluctance among disabled talent to pursue their athletic dreams, particularly in certain regions and countries.
• Public Interest: Although interest in the Paralympics has grown, it still doesn’t match the level of enthusiasm seen for the Olympics. This disparity affects ticket sales, sponsorship, and brand engagement opportunities for disabled athletes.
• Role Models: While we’ve seen more Paralympians like Hannah Cockroft, Jonas Jacobsson, and Jessica Long rise to prominence, there remains a significant gap compared to the number of Olympian role models. Increasing visibility of Paralympic role models is crucial in encouraging more individuals with disabilities to pursue professional sport.

These challenges echo the barriers faced by disabled professionals in the corporate world. Just as athletes need accessible environments and opportunities to thrive, so too do employees with disabilities. The importance of inclusion extends beyond the playing field and into every workplace.

As we continue to celebrate the incredible achievements of our Paralympians throughout these Games, let’s also reflect on what more we can do in our own environments to support and uplift disabled talent.

If you’d like to discuss disability inclusion further, feel free to reach out to me.