The Paralympics are coming to a close this week, with China well ahead of Great Britain and the USA in gold medals and overall medal tally.
As of Tuesday, Canada had won 12 medals: two gold, four silver and six bronze. As sports fans watched the games in Paris, one Canadian Olympian wanted to remind the world to appreciate Paralympians for being elite athletes.
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Allison Lang's message was submitted to the Today.com opinion section. The sitting volleyball player explained that being a Paralympian is “just as amazing” as being an Olympian, and responded to some of the comments she has seen on social media.
“I often see the comment: 'If he can do that with no legs, then what excuse can't I not run?' I shared my thoughts on this on social media, pointing out that Paralympic athletes are not a source of inspiration,” Lang said.
Canadian player Allison Lang, wearing number 17, claps as she enters the arena before a sitting volleyball match against Slovenia on the first day of the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games at the North Paris Arena on August 29, 2024 in Paris. (Elsa/Getty Images)
“These comments make us feel less than others. Paralympians are elite athletes and we want to educate people so that they know that we are not just inspiring but aspirational. It's great to be inspired by the achievements of incredible athletes. That's what the Olympics and Paralympics are all about – be inspired by what we achieve, not who we are.”
Ms Lang also tries to dispel the idea that she is perceived as an “ableist”, and says she grimaces at comments some people make in everyday life.
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“An older woman once told me she was impressed by my independence,” she says. “I know she meant it with kindness, but to say you're impressed that a disabled person can do the same everyday tasks as an able-bodied person dehumanizes us. We don't want to be looked at like that.”
The Paralympics will run until September 8th.
U.S. Paralympian Ezra Fleck has urged fans to tune in to watch athletes compete in the Olympics, echoing Lang's sentiments when speaking to Fox News Digital in June.
A panoramic view of fireworks at the end of the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games at Place de la Concorde in Paris on August 28, 2024. (OIS/Joel Markland via USA TODAY Sports)
“I hope that the average American or the average viewer realizes just how elite level some of these sports are,” Fleck said. “People get confused and sometimes feel sorry for the athletes. There's no room for pity in the Paralympics. These are the best athletes on the planet. They just happen to be physically disabled.”
“If you turn on the TV and you want to watch high-level sport, that's what you're going to watch the Paralympics. It's not a tale of woe or a pity party. These are the best athletes on the planet competing against each other. And that's what I want people to get out of the Paralympics.”
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“Of course it will be an emotional match. Of course, like any other sporting event, it will be full of surprises and shocks and surprises. But the reason to watch the Paralympics is not to feel sorry for the athletes. This is elite sport.”
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