Paralympism, Paralympic values and disability sport: a conceptual and ethical critique

Abstract

While courage is undoubtedly a moral virtue, there is more than one conception that might inform Paralympism with either/both active and passive content. It is argued that Determination is an instrumental character trait that is not necessarily ethically praiseworthy. While potentially inspiring, the efforts and abilities of Paralympic athletes need not depend on the reception of spectators whom they have no control over. Finally, being an important ethical idea, it is neither clear what kind of equality is aimed for nor how it would be operationalized within sports with respect to access to expensive technology that is often the precondition of Paralympic sporting success. It is concluded that the Paralympic movement has not yet invested sufficient intellectual effort to articulate its ethical basis, and while these four values may have something to do with Paralympism, they are insufficient to articulate the concept. Implications for Rehabilitation Athletes with disabilities are governed by a range of normative frameworks that affect their preparation for and participation in the Paralympic games and associated events. Medical models often espouse a conception of biostatistical normality that derogates persons with disabilities, yet in elite sports abnormalities in structure and function can be highly valued. There is a lack of clarity about the ethical goals for those assisting Paralympic athletes. Governing bodies in disability sports, such as the International Paralympic Committee need to more critically and coherently spell out their ethical vision for Paralympic sports, which should guide athletes and rehabilitation professionals to behave in ways that would command the general public's admiration. Paralympism, Paralympic values and disability sport: a conceptual and ethical critique.

Uninspired: Framing Wheelchair Basketball and Able-Bodied Basketball in College News Sources

“…This interviewee lifted up wheelchair basketball as the more physical sport but ironically referred to the sport as less normal and legitimate by alluding to able-bodied basketball as “actual” basketball. This concept resembles the “Paralympic paradox” in which the disability aspect of Parasport is emphasized over performance to contrast standard sport, thus drawing audience attention to Paralympics, ironically marginalizing the performance of the athletes on an the international competitive stage (McNamee, 2017).…”

Assessment of Visual Function and Performance in Paralympic Judo for Athletes with Vision Impairment

“…Discourse between scientists, sport philosophers, and policy makers may be required to determine the most favorable outcome for the integrity of the Para sport movement. 2,30 Determining an athlete's level of performance is not straightforward within a complex interactive sport such as judo. Skilled performance results from a highly dynamic and complex interaction between two combatants who constantly need to coadapt their movements to each other.…”

How wide should you view to fight? Establishing the size of the visual field necessary for grip fighting in judo

“…The involvement of the sport community is therefore critical when establishing new classification criteria on the basis of research findings to decide where their preference lies in establishing an exact cut-off. Sport philosophers may also provide valuable guidance on ethical considerations around the inclusion and exclusion of athletes (McNamee, 2017).…”