Monday 9th July 2007
Mencap Paralympic Campaign
Since the Sydney Paralympics in 2000, athletes with a
learning disability have been banned from the
Paralympic Games. This is because a small number of athletes
competed as athletes with a learning disability when they in fact had no disability
whatsoever.
Although this means that athletes cannot take part in the Paralympic Games, it also
means that athletes are excluded from many of the funding streams and support
programmes to develop English athletes of the future.
Programmes such as the UK School Games, lottery funded programmes to develop
gifted and talented athletes and other programmes designed to support elite
athletes currently do not include athletes with a learning disability.
Mencap is campaigning to change this. We believe that athletes will be re-instated
to the Paralympic Games in time for London 2012. So it is vital that young athletes
are supported now, to develop their talent and give them the best possible chance
of winning medals.
Currently, Mencap Sport is the only organisation supporting gifted and talented
athletes with a learning disability to train towards international success in
Paralympic sport. They do not receive any government or lottery support. Programmes are supported by fundraising income, and athletes have to find many
thousands of pounds each year to compete.
If you want to support the campaign you can email Mencap at sport@mencap.org.uk
and ask for a campaign pack.
