The 2021 Olympics are underway and just days into the competition the world has been glued to the events unfolding on television and social media. Simone Biles dropped out of the competition due to mental health reasons, Naomi Osaka lost in her third-round match, and Tunisia’s Ahmed Hafnaoui declared gold in what is being called the biggest upset of the Olympic games, maybe ever. Needless to say, the 2021 Olympic games have been a whirlwind, and the Paralympics have been nothing short of disappointing.
The Paralympics are international competitions parallel to the Olympics which are designed especially for athletes with disabilities. The Paralympics are not just an effort to diversify the Olympics but exist to provide the same opportunities that abled body people have to those who are disabled. Paralympics.com provides a brief history of how the games came to be and the road to becoming an internationally recognized event and providing opportunities for those who may not be able to compete in events in the Olympics.
The Paralympics are a great representation of what it means to put diversity and equity first. Diversity is not defined by race or gender, but by the ability of the athlete despite physical barriers. It is through the Paralympics that the visibility of disabled athletes is put on the front stage, and celebrated. Attached below is the Men’s 50m Breaststroke, where we can see the diversity amongst the swimmers, and how they function in their perspective events.
Diversity Training
The Paralympics are a great example of fair representation based on interest. We can’t teach you how to swim or run faster, but we can make diversity training fun. If you are looking to have an empathetic and easy-going facilitated conversation on diversity and inclusion, Line 25 Consulting is the way to go. Contact us today to get started.
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