Athletes with a learning disability face exclusion at Paralympics

Athletes who have a learning disability are only able to compete for 4% of gold medal chances in the Tokyo Paralympics, Mencap has revealed.

The learning disability charity said just 13 Team GB athletes with a learning disability are competing in Japan at this year’s Paralympics, out of a total of 209 disabled athletes taking part.

More widely, athletes with a learning disability can only compete in three sports, athletics, swimming and table tennis, out of a total of 22, with Team GB athletes with a learning disability competing in just two sports this year. Overall, athletes with a learning disability can compete in only 21 of the 539 events taking place.

London 2012 saw the reintroduction of athletes with a learning disability to the Paralympics following a 12-year ban after the Spanish basketball team were found to have faked having a learning disability in order to compete.

Despite being almost 10 years on from the ban being lifted, athletes with a learning disability have continued to face exclusion.

Since Rio 2016, and London 2012, there has been very little progression. The number of sports that athletes with a learning disability can compete in has remained at just three and Mencap are calling on the International Paralympic Committee to increase opportunities and make the games truly inclusive.

Edel Harris, chief executive of Mencap, said: ‘Why is it, when we are constantly talking about the need for greater inclusion, that people with a learning disability are still excluded from so much at the Paralympics?

‘It’s been 21 years since athletes with a learning disability were banned from competing in the games – something that has left a terrible legacy, long-lasting exclusion, and meant even fewer opportunities for representation of people with a learning disability on a world stage.

‘Learning disability is still so misunderstood, and seeing more athletes with a learning disability competing at the Paralympics would help to fight stigma in wider society.

‘It is also deeply unfair on the talented athletes with a learning disability who cannot compete alongside their disabled peers. We want the International Paralympic Committee to act so that people with a learning disability get the opportunities they deserve.

‘UK sports organisations also need to commit to more funding so that more athletes with a learning disability can compete in the Paralympics.’

Abdul Hameed, who has a learning disability and is a Sports Co-Trainer at Mencap, said: ‘At the moment there aren’t enough opportunities at the Paralympics.

‘It’s absolutely not right. There shouldn’t be any barriers to getting involved in sport if you have a learning disability or not, it’s unfair.

‘There is also not enough representation of people with a learning disability in sports generally. For me, sports has helped me to meet people. It gives me a boost and a sense of belonging.

‘In my role as a co-trainer, I deliver workshops to sports providers to explain what it’s like to have a learning disability, and I also have an eye condition so I talk about that.

‘I think my role helps to change attitudes but there is still a long way to go to include more people with a learning disability in sports, and in the Paralympics.’

Photo Credit – Florian Schmetz