The inclusion of para-sports into able-bodied events has steadily risen over the past 20 years. Most recently demonstrated at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, which integrated the largest number of para-sports in history (42 events across eight sports). My opinion is that para-sport has benefited greatly from inclusion, including the use of shared facilities and organising bodies, increased media attention, and more competition opportunities. In turn, the event reaps benefits from reflecting social expectations, increased participation, and revenue gains.

I was competing in equestrian dressage when it was added to the abled-bodied governing body as one of 8 FEI* disciplines. From my perspective, inclusion opened up the sport and the transition had very few problems. Para-events were incorporated into programs at an international, national and local level instead of having separate events. One challenge was that venues now needed to be accessible and government grants came into assist. An unexpected outcome was that some athletes who had been competing in open competition realised they could be classified as para-athletes and discovered a new pathway to the Paralympic Games. 

This leads me to the big question…. Should the Paralympics and the Olympics be combined? My immediate answer is no because in their current format there would need to be too much compromise to combine the programs. Also, each event has unique legacies, different histories, and distinctive roles and missions within society. I think there is still more to be done in obtaining equality and recognition of Para-sport worldwide. However, I do like to imagine in the future a new sporting event that is fully inclusive (perhaps bigger than the Olympics and Paralympics) with mixed team events combining para-athletes and abled-bodied in the same race! What are your thoughts on this subject, write in the comments below.  

*International Federation of Equestrians

About the Author:

Susan Seipel is a diverse para-athlete with a background in swimming, equestrian, and is a triple World Champion in the sport of Paracanoe.

She won a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games and was the first Australian in history to win a medal in Paracanoe at the Paralympic level. At the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games, Susan won a silver medal in the inaugural women’s canoe event. She is currently training for Paris 2024.

Outside of sport, Susan is a proud ambassador for RSPCA Queensland and is passionate about animal welfare. She is also studying Psychology at university.

http://www.susanseipel.com