U.S. Paralympic reaction to Rio announcement
By Dave Adams
CHICAGO–Friday, Oct. 2 was not only a big day for the future of Olympic competitors, but also for the Paralympic athletes who will compete in the 2016 games in Rio de Janeiro.
The U.S. Paralympics is a division of the U.S. Olympic committee that allows athletes with physical and visual disabilities to compete in elite-level sports. Divided into classifications based on the type and severity of their disability, athletes compete against one another in games such as sitting volleyball, sled hockey, and table tennis.
“The Paralympics is the ultimate level of competition for athletes with disabilities. It brings people from all over the world together as athletes with one common goal: to win the gold medal,” said Paralympic competitor Kurt Smith.
The name “Paralympics” literally means “parallel to the Olympics,” and because of the fact that the Paralympics are held in the same city, at the same venues, and in the same year as the Olympics, the name fits.
For many Paralympians, Chicago as a candidate for the host city provided hope and excitement. “If the Olympics were held in Chicago, I think Paralympic athletes would have received the most exposure they have ever had in this country,” said Paralympian Curtis Lease.
“This just bums me out so much because I think Chicago would have done so well with the Paralympics. It is such an accessible city and I think it would have brought the Paralympics into a brighter light in the United States,” said Paralympian Hope Lewellen.
Shock and sadness fell over the crowd as Chicago was eliminated by the International Olympic Committee. “I feel stunned. I don’t understand what happened, and I probably never will,” said Lewellen.
Even though paralympians are disappointed by the setbacks caused by Chicago being eliminated, the Games must go on. “The U.S. doesn’t televise the Paralympics nearly as much in other countries as they do the Olympics. I thought if the Olympics were held in Chicago, we would get more television coverage that would really help our movement,” said Lewellen.
With less media coverage in the United States, outreach to the disabled community and the promotion of healthy lifestyle will be more difficult for Paralympians to accomplish. “I envisioned new athletes in the Chicago area participating in Paralympic sports and getting more people in the disabled community to become more physically active,” said Smith.
These setbacks may be disappointing, but the Paralympians will not let this stop them from doing what they love and promoting their movement. “The Paralympics truly embody the Olympic spirit. We don’t get paid big endorsements like the Olympians do– we do this because we love it,” said Lewellen. “It would be nice to get more coverage to show our hard work and make the Paralympics more recognizable, but we do this because we have passion and no matter where the games are, we will bring along our spirit.”
Some tried to see the good side of the disappointing news that Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 Games, not Chicago. “South America has never had the Olympics so I think this is really good for them,” said Lease.
Paralympian Ella Chafee did not feel as optimistic. “I do not have high hopes for Rio at all. Back in 1968 when the Olympics were held in Mexico, the Paralympic games were cancelled due to political unrest, and Brazil is in a sort of political upset that does not make me feel comfortable with the fate of the games,” she said.
Despite Rio not being the first choice for many U.S. Paralympians, athletes are still optimistic that they will eventually get the same recognition as able-bodied Olympians. “Words can’t describe the experience I’ve had with the Paralympics,” said Smith. “I feel honored, privileged and proud.
