Back in the 1970s when I was young and foolish, I made the delusional decision to participate in some wheelchair sports competitions. Racing was the event of choice, but it didn't take long to realize I was more skillful at the post-competition parties than the actual races.
In those days, sporting events for people with disabilities were more about having fun than serious competition, proven by the astounding fact that I qualified for the nationals.
In 2008, thankfully, competitive athletics for men and women with disabilities is completely different. The athletes who are about to participate in the 2008
Paralympic games in Beijing
(Sept. 6 though Sept. 17) are some of the most highly trained and competitive athletes in the world. Their priority is the medal, not the party.
Why, then, is media coverage of the Paralympics so unsubstantial?
Could it be that sports editors consider the Paralympics a feature story, not deserving of serious sports coverage? Or maybe after footing the bill to send reporters, photographers and even bloggers to the Olympics, editors are in no mood to extend their stay to cover the Paralympics.
As the exhaustive (some would say relentless) print, broadcast and Web coverage of the Olympics continues, the Paralympics may generate an occasional report, mostly from the wire services.
But it's not too late to write meaningful stories about the Paralympics. Here is a collection of facts from the Web sites listed to the right that may help spark some story ideas:
- More than 4,000 athletes from 150 countries are expected to compete in Beijing.
- The U.S. team is made up of more than 200 men and women athletes. Veterans injured in Iraq and Afghanistan will have spots on the U.S. team.
- Competition will be held in 20 sports, from swimming to fencing to power lifting and tennis.
- There will be 2,500 coaches and assistants working with the athletes.
- Chinese Paralympic officials estimate that 36,000 volunteers will work the games.
- Opening and closing ceremonies will offer the expected pomp and circumstance; the medal presentations will offer the emotional moments.
- Doping problems also plague the Paralympics.
- The number of world athletes participating in the summer games has increased from 400 from 23 countries in Rome in 1960 to 3,806 athletes from 136 countries in Athens at the 2004 games.
I've seen some reporting on U.S. athletes preparing for the 2008 Paralympics in a scattering of local newspapers, but rather than focusing on their athletic prowess, the "overcoming their disability" cliché is most often used. And that hardly shows how dedicated, skillful and competitive these men and women are to make the elite team.
Paralympians deserve better, more thorough and consistent coverage, and so do young Americans with disabilities who may not know these competitions even exist.
The steady dose of Olympics coverage on TV will once again send the message to them that only the non-disabled need apply for competitive sports. But if they could see and read about the Paralympics, think of the possibilities that would open up for them.
When I was in college 40 years ago, there was...
