16 September 2008

Paralympic dream reignited

Athletes with a learning disability could compete at London 2012, says International Paralympic Committee.

As the Beijing Paralympics draw to a close, athletes with a learning disability are hopeful that they will be able to compete at the 2012 Games. Renewed optimism came as the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) said that it had made progress with its efforts to re-include athletes with an ‘intellectual disability' in all Paralympic and IPC-sanctioned events.

The IPC introduced a blanket ban on athletes with a learning disability from its events following the Sydney 2000 Games. It was revealed that 10 members of Spain’s gold medal-winning basketball team had falsely claimed to have a learning disability.

IPC statement falls short

A joint statement between the IPC and the International Sports Federation for Persons with an Intellectual Disability (INAS-FID) said that athletes with a learning disability would be able to compete in regional and world events from 2009.

However, it fell short of making a firm commitment to the full re-inclusion of athletes, saying only: “the re-inclusion of athletes with an intellectual disability in London 2012 and beyond remains a viable and reasonable objective.”

The UK Sports Association for People with a Learning Disability described the IPC's ambiguity as “disappointing after eight years of discussion.” It reminded government ministers that leaving athletes with a learning disability out of London 2012 would be in contempt of England's discrimination and human rights legislation.

Dame Jo Williams, Mencap’s chief executive, said: “We are delighted by the announcement made by the IPC and INAS-FID on the progress made to lift the ban. However, there must now be immediate funding to make sure this happens and that as many sports are included as possible for athletes with a learning disability in future Paralympic Games.”

Read the joint IPC and INAS-FID statement

Mencap’s call for funding to be reinstated for UK athletes