The Paralympics are poised to take over our TV screens later this week but first-time viewers are dismayed to learn there will be a pivotal Olympic discipline missing from the proceedings.
On Wednesday (August 28), more than 4,4000 Paralympic athletes will descend on Paris to compete for gold in competitions such as 5-a-side Blind Football, table tennis and sitting volleyball.
And while many sports reside on both the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games rosters, not everything has a mirrored version.
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Boccia (pronounced ‘Bot-cha’) and goalball are sports exclusive to the Paralympics while golf, water polo and surfing are only present in the able-bodied event.
What sport will not feature at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris?
Despite gymnastics featuring in every Olympic program since the beginning of the Games’ modern era in Athens in 1896, it has never been included in the Paralympics schedule.
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Speaking about why there are no gymnastic events at the forthcoming competition, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, former wheelchair racer, said: "The sports that are included have developed over time and are based on the number of athletes from a minimum number of continents.
“Many disabled people will take part in this sport but I would imagine that there are not enough at this current moment in time.”
UK Sport also stated that ‘sports require regional and international championships to qualify for the Paralympics’.
Moreover, former BBC Paralympics reporter Tony Garrett, claimed events such as gymnastics and boxing weren't 'practical' enough to codify Paralympic versions.
Sport fans have their say on no Para Gymnastics competitions
Upon learning they won’t be able to watch Para gymnastics in Paris this summer, many sports fans took to social media to share their frustrations.
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“Sooooo the @Paralympics doesn’t have Para Gymnastics,” began one user. “That has got the be the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard of… There are so many disabled gymnasts and they deserve to compete for their countries! I’m disgusted. From articles I’ve read there’s little push in the community.”
A second X user demanded: “Get gymnastics in the Paralympics NOW!!!”
“I would love for gymnastics to become a Paralympic sport,” commented a Reddit user. “If anyone knows of a way to support such a cause, please share.”
10 'Eligible Impairments' for athletes to qualify for the Paralympics
Ahead of the summer games, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has revealed which disabilities actually let athletes qualify for the tournament.
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The IPC has confirmed there are '10 Eligible Impairments', often referred to as three distinct categories—Group A, Group B and Group C.
Group A
Athletes sorted into Group A are categorised by various physical impairments.
These comprise eight impairments causing ‘activity limitations that are biomechanical in nature', such as impaired muscle power, impaired range of movement, limb deficiency, leg length difference, hypertonia, ataxia, athetosis and short stature.
Group B
Paralympians who have visual impairments are categorised in Group B if they have ‘reduced or no vision caused by damage to the eye structure, optical nerves or optical pathways, or visual cortex of the brain.’
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Underlying health conditions such as retinitis pigmentosa and diabetic retinopathy may also contribute to the Group B classification.
Group C
Any athletes with an intellectual impairment are considered a Group C Paralympian.
The IPC has defined intellectual impairment as: "Athletes with an Intellectual Impairment have a restriction in intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviour in which affects conceptual, social and practical adaptive skills required for everyday life.”
The governing body also stipulates that the impairment must be present before the age of 18 to qualify.
The 2024 Paralympic Games run from August 28 to September 8.
Topics: Olympics, Paralympics, Sport, News, Social Media
Ella Scott