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(b) The Informing Lens
On what experiences and perspectives may the Outsider base his or her
interpretation of the view of the Paralympics?
(c) The Ideal Lens
What is it that we ideally want the Outsider to observe through the lens into
the Paralympic world?
For the purposes of this lecture, I have attempted to step back from my
knowledge and biases and think from the point of view of the Outsider; to
consider where he and she obtains a frame of reference with which to evaluate
the Paralympic movement and Paralympic Games.
(a) The Outsider View
The first lens through which we look is the "Outsider's View." This is the
process of stepping into the shoes of "another", of conceptualising what others
may see, and what he or she might observe on looking in.
The temptation is of course to assume that the Outsider will observe the
positive elements of our movement, as in for example our tremendous growth.
In 1989 we were comprised of 43 nations. We have increased our membership
to 178 nations today, and are now serving and showcasing 24 sports. The Outsider
will observe our spectacle - of the summer and Winter Paralympic Games - of
the breathtaking images that were Sydney 2000 and Nagano 1998. He or she might
observe the excellence of our athletes who are made up of, among others,
amputees and totally blind who run the 100 m in Athletics, in an astounding
11.0 seconds; paralysed weightlifters who lift nearly 300 kilograms; and, one-legged
amputees on sit-skis who conquer the Alpine slopes at 100 + kilometres per hour.
They will observe demonstrations of the abilities of our athletes and not their
Disabilities. They will observe phenomenal performance with a combination of
athletes and technology producing world class times on the track, on the field, in
the pool, in the velodrome and in the equestrian arena, to mention a few.
Above all, they may observe and vicariously experience the enormous pride
that accompanies success after years of hard work and commitment.
However:
They may also observe other views, often through the media, which
unfortunately highlight the negative rather than the positive. They may hear of
athletes deliberately inducing autonomie dysreflexia (called "Boosting") which
potentially places their health at risk, in the name of sports. And they may say:
"Why would someone, who has already suffered a spinal injury, do such a thing?"
It doesn't make sense.
They may read about "another" doping scandal in a sport and ask the question:
"Why would an athlete who already has a disability partake in drugs that are
harmful to their health?" This, too, makes no sense.
They may read of organisations that have betrayed all athletes in the
pursuit of the laurel wreath. And they may say: "What kind of environment is this?"
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