Common misunderstandings surround the Olympics, Paralympics, and Special Olympics, leading to confusion, particularly regarding the latter two. Here, we aim to clarify key points for better comprehension.
Quick Facts: Paralympics
- The Paralympics denotes the Paralympic Games, a quadrennial multi-sport event occurring in both Summer and Winter cycles.
- Held concurrently with the Olympic Games, the term "para" signifies the parallel nature of the events, typically taking place about two weeks later.
- Tokyo 2020 featured 28 Summer Sports in the Paralympic program.
- Eligibility for Paralympic participation involves specific rules and classifications based on ten impairment types, including Vision Impairments, Intellectual Impairments, and various Physical Impairments.
- Athletes must meet stringent criteria and qualify to compete, with the Paralympic Games hosting Para athletes, but only those who have participated are considered Paralympians.
- Impairment types for eligibility encompass Vision Impairments, Intellectual Impairments, and various Physical Impairments such as impaired muscle power, limb deficiency, and short stature.
Quick Facts: Special Olympics
- Special Olympics refers to an organization and sports system, not a single event.
- Athletes participating in Special Olympics have an intellectual disability.
- The organization spans various events at different levels, including local, regional, provincial/territorial, national, and global stages.
- Special Olympics offers 29 Summer Sports, with 10 available in Canada.
- The mandate of Special Olympics is to provide sports programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities, catering to recreational and competitive programs.
- Special Olympics World Games occur every four years in both Summer and Winter cycles.
- Special Olympics utilizes divisions, grouping athletes based on age, gender, and ability, without exclusion based on performance metrics such as distance or time.
Did You Know?
- Athletes with Intellectual Impairments can participate in Athletics in both Para sport and Special Olympics streams.
- In Para Athletics, athletes are typically referred to as those with an intellectual impairment, while Special Olympics uses the term "intellectual disability."
- Athletes with an Intellectual Impairment must meet specific eligibility and classification requirements for the Paralympic pathway, which differ from Special Olympics where such requirements are not necessary.
