Just 3 out of 23 sports open to athletes with a learning disability – Mencap petition calls for more events to be opened up.

8% of medals (12 out of 147) won by Team GB at the Paralympics were won by athletes with a learning disability, despite them making up just 3% of the overall Team GB. This success adds extra urgency to Mencap’s petition asking the International Paralympics Committee to increase the number of events athletes with a learning disability are allowed to compete in.

Currently athletes with a learning disability are allowed to compete for just 18 out of 528 gold medals. There have been concerns around a lack of demand among athletes with a learning disability to compete at elite levels, however the number of medals won by Team GB athletes with a learning disability proves this wrong.

Over 260 disabled athletes went to Rio as part of the GB team, and just seven of these were athletes with a learning disability. Despite the small number selected, athletes with a learning disability contributed 4 gold, 6 silver and 2 bronze medals to the team’s overall record tally.

Swimmer Jessica-Jane Applegate, who is an ambassador for Mencap, won 2 silver and 1 bronze medals in her events, which included 200m freestyle, 200m individual medley and 100m backstroke.

Currently, athletes with a learning disability can only compete in 3 out of the 23 Paralympic sports. Within those 3 sports, there are just 9 events open to athletes with a learning disability. Prior to the start of the Paralympics, Mencap launched a petition to the International Paralympic Committee calling for more events to be opened up to athletes with a learning disability, which has received over 3,600 signatures to date.

Harry Roche, who has a learning disability, said:

“All of the athletes who competed at the Paralympics did fantastically. I’d like to say a huge congratulations to all of the athletes with a learning disability who took part and won a medal. I’ve really enjoyed watching the Paralympics this year, it has been really good to watch athletes with a learning disability do so well.

“I really hope that at the next Paralympics we will see even more athletes with a learning disability take part in a larger number of events. It is unfair that athletes with a learning disability can only compete in 3 out of the 23 sports. The Paralympics has shown that there is a lot of talent and there needs to be more opportunities made available. We must overcome these barriers as soon as possible.”

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – SEPTEMBER 08: Rio 2016 Paralympic Games on September 8, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Raphael Dias/Getty Images for the International Paralympic Committee)

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and Ottobock have extended their worldwide partnership until the end of 2020.

An international partner since 2005 and the longest serving partner to the Paralympic Games, Ottobock has provided technical services for equipment used by Paralympians since the Seoul 1988 Paralympic Games, where the company’s ‘Passion for Paralympics’ was born.

Today Ottobock’s Sportsline provides the equipment for Para athletes to enjoy a wide range of Para sports, from athletics to wheelchair basketball. Combined with IPC programmes to increase capacity and professionalism, the two organisations are committed to growing participation at every level and using sport to improve the quality of life and socio-economic opportunities for people living with impairments around the world.

Sir Philip Craven, IPC President, said:

“Ottobock’s ‘Passion for Paralympics’ started when four Australian prosthetists set-up an improvised workshop to support athletes at the Seoul 1988 Paralympic Games. Since then, they have been involved in every Paralympic Games and in 2005 became the IPC’s first Worldwide Partner.

“Because of their lengthy involvement, I think they, under the leadership of my good friend Professor Hans Georg Näder, have observed more than most the evolution of the Paralympic Movement.

“Through its ‘Quality for Life’ philosophy, Ottobock shares the IPC’s desire to make for a more inclusive society for all. This is why they are such a good partner for the IPC, and I am delighted that Ottobock has agreed to extend their Worldwide Partnership with the IPC for a further four years to beyond the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.”

“In the 11 years Ottobock has been an IPC Worldwide Partner, we have seen tremendous growth in the popularity of the Paralympic Games, and the opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in sport,” said Ottobock President Hans Georg Näder.

“However, there is still a long way to go. Ottobock’s business network spans the globe and over the next four years we are looking forward to working alongside the IPC to strengthen the Paralympic Movement through improved access to mobility equipment and patient care.”

The announcement comes at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, where Ottobock has a team of repair technicians providing comprehensive equipment repair services. As the official prosthetic, orthotic and wheelchair technical service provider for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, Ottobock opened its technical service repair centre on 31 August and has already completed over 1,000 repairs. The service will continue throughout the Games from repair
centres in the Paralympic Athletes’ Village and as well as 14 competition venues.

Built on a foundation of shared values and commitment to quality, extending the partnership for another four years will ensure Paralympic athletes continue to have access to world class technical service and keep the Paralympic Movement going from strength to strength.

#FilltheSeats – Samsung to join the campaign to support Brazilian children attend the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

Samsung has announced it is donating USD 50,000 to help more Brazilian youngsters attend the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games and to ensure the stands continue to be packed with fans throughout the Games which run from 7 to 18 of September.

Samsung’s donation will support the global crowdfunding #FilltheSeats campaign which has now raised more than USD 300,000.

The campaign was started in late August by Greg Nugent, the former London 2012 marketing director.  US Paralympians Tatyana and Hannah McFadden quickly made their own personal donations as did thousands of fans and International Paralympic Committee (IPC) corporate supporters including Samsung.

“Samsung is dedicated to supporting those around the world who are defying barriers because we share the same heritage of overcoming obstacles,” said Helvio Tadashi Kanamaru, Senior Manager of Corporate Citizenship Group at Samsung Electronics Latin America. “By supporting #FilltheSeats, we seek to help showcase the essence of the Paralympic Games that inspires and celebrates the spirit of the human challenge and highlight the importance of
seeing ability over disability. For Samsung, this is the true meaning of the Paralympic Spirit.”

The #FilltheSeats campaign has surpassed all expectations.  The campaign originally aimed to raise USD 15,000 to send 500 youngsters to the Games. But that amount was raised in the first week.   Now the new target is to raise enough funds to pay for 10,000 tickets as well as to cover food, transportation and to watch unforgettable sport. (A cost of USD 30 per person.

While ticket sales for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games started slowly a few weeks ago, 1.8 million tickets have now been sold making the Games the second biggest ever in terms of tickets sales.

Many top events have been sold out and athletes have raving about the atmosphere in the venues in Rio.

On Saturday, 170,000 fans were on hand at the Olympic Park, the site of many of the venues.  That is the most people to visit the park in one day at either the Olympics or the Paralympics.

Samsung is the International Paralympic Committee’s Worldwide Partner in the Wireless Communications Equipment Category.

All #FilltheSeats funds are being donated to the Paralympic Movement’s global governing body and the Agitos Foundation, the IPC’s development arm who are distributing the tickets to the Brazilian youth.

The money raised will pay for Brazilian children and people with an impairment to attend the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. The programme is managed as part of Transforma Educacao, the Rio 2016 official education programme, and will target children from across the state of Rio de Janeiro. Their journeys will be co-ordinated and facilitated by a team of trained staff who have been working on the overall programme.

Any surplus or unspent funds will be donated to legacy projects in Brazil and South America focused on sport for people with an impairment.

According to the IPC, the Rio 2016 Organising Committee’s budget to deliver the Paralympic Games is not at the level they originally committed to.  Despite this, the Paralympic Movement’s global governing body remains confident of the impact the Games will have on making for a more equitable society.

Speaking at a press conference in Rio on Friday (19 August), Sir Philip Craven, IPC President, said:

“I am fully confident Rio 2016 will be the best Games ever in terms of athletic performance. You only have to look at some of the achievements from Para athletes over the last two years to realise that we will witness some truly spectacular sport.

“I believe the performances of the Para athletes will act as a catalyst for social change.  The Paralympics have a strong track record for changing global attitudes towards people with an impairment, and are now widely regarded as the world’s number one sporting event for driving positive societal change and social inclusion.

“The opportunity we have here to make Rio, Brazil, Latin America and the world a more equitable place for all does not come around very often, so we have to grab it with both hands.”

Sir Philip also spoke at length about the challenges the IPC is facing with just 19 days to go until the Opening Ceremony.

“Never before in the 56 year history of the Paralympic Games have we faced circumstances like this,” said Sir Philip.

“Since becoming aware of the full scale of the problem, we have focussed all of our efforts on finding solutions to the problems.

“At the IPC we are a relatively small but united organisation.  It’s in our Paralympic DNA to see obstacles as an opportunity to do things differently and that’s what we are doing here.  We are problem solvers by nature and fight for what we believe in.”

Solutions have included working with Rio’s Mayor Paes to secure an additional BRL 150 million of funding and meeting with the Federal Government to bring in up to BRL 100 million of sponsorship for the Games from state run companies.

Sir Philip said:

“Mayor Paes has always been a huge advocate of the Paralympics and the seismic impact they can have in terms of driving social inclusion.  He saw what the London 2012 Paralympics did for the British capital, and now he wants that same transformation to take place here in Rio.

“On Thursday we had a meeting with the interim President Michel Temer who confirmed his attendance at the Opening Ceremony.  I think his actions in the meeting speak volumes of his commitment to the Paralympics. Not only did we hold productive talks, but he picked up the phone on a number of occasions to get things moving which gave us huge confidence.

“A number of state run companies have since signed contracts to sponsor the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, bringing in much needed money to the Organising Committee, whilst the Minister for Justice and the Minister for Defence have informed us that the security forces currently in place for the Olympics will remain for the Paralympics.”

With much needed revenue streams now established, the IPC is optimistic that the first instalment of the National Paralympic Committee support grants will be paid by the Rio 2016 Organising Committee. These grants were a Rio 2016 bid commitment for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and were due to be paid to all 165 participating countries at the end of July.

The late payment though could still pose a threat to some countries’ participation in the Games according to the IPC President.  Athletes are set to arrive from 31 August onwards.

Sir Philip said:

“Currently we have around 10 countries who, even if the grants are paid, may struggle to cover the cost of their travel to the Games.  The IPC is working with them to find solutions and ensure their participation here in Rio

“We want full participation here.  We want all eligible countries to send their athletes to the Games.  It’s what the athletes deserve and it is what the athletes want after years of training and dedication,” he added.

Cost savings

With the additional revenues still short of the original budget planned for the Paralympics, the IPC has announced a raft of cuts which it has agreed with the Rio 2016 Organising Committee.

Cuts include a downsizing of Rio 2016’s workforce for the Paralympics, changes to the transport services offered to all clients, the closure of a number of venue media centres and a full review of the back-of-house spaces at all venues.

The wheelchair fencing competition will move from the Youth Arena in the Deodoro Park to Carioca Arena 3 in the Barra Olympic Park.  The transfer of this sport will allow the Deorodo Olympic Park to be closed and dismantled meaning that equestrian, football 7-a-side and shooting will now work as three standalone venues with dedicated transport hubs.

Sir Philip Craven said:

“These cuts are on top of the ones we, together with the IOC, have already made in the last 12 months and are likely to impact nearly every stakeholder attending the Games.

“We are working desperately hard to protect athlete services, especially within the field of play.  They have dedicated their lives to reaching these Games and we will do our upmost to try and maintain the service levels and scope that they expect at a Paralympic Games.”

Ticket sales

According to the Rio 2016 Organising Committee, just over 290,000 tickets for the Paralympics have been sold, although sales have picked up in recent days.

Sir Philip said:

“We now hope a new promotional campaign will engage the Brazilian public and lead to strong crowds for all sports.

“At this point it is difficult for us to expect the full venues that we saw in Beijing or London, or expect to see in Tokyo in four years’ time.  However, we hope the passion of the Brazilian people and their desire to support and see Brazilian athletes win medals will see them turn out en-masse.  People power could really determine the outcome of these Games.”

At London 2012, Brazil won 21 gold medals, and this time round they are targeting a top five finish in the medals table for the first time in their history.

The Rio 2016 Paralympic Games will take place between 7-18 September.

The British Paralympic Association has commented on the IPC’s statement.

“The news about the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games is worrying given the obviously constrained budgets and significant reductions in service levels for venues, transport, provision for the media and other stakeholders.  London 2012 proudly showed the world what was possible and we want Rio to be the next stage of that positive journey.  The IPC’s announcement makes clear that there is major risk to that.  However, our ParalympicsGB athletes have been training hard for at least four years for this moment to compete and deliver their personal best amongst their international competitors.  We will be taking our full team proudly to the Rio Games and will strive to mitigate as much as possible any factors which could impact on their performance.  We fully support the IPC in their work with the Rio 2016 Organisers and are with them in meeting the challenge of driving forward the Paralympic Games and movement.”

After evaluating all of the evidence before it, and allowing the Russian Paralympic Committee to present its case both in writing and in person, the IPC Governing Board unanimously determined that the Russian Paralympic Committee is unable to ensure compliance with and the enforcement of the IPC’s Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Code within its own national jurisdiction.  These obligations are a fundamental constitutional requirement for all National Paralympic Committees (NPCs), and are vital to the IPC’s ability to ensure fair competition and to provide a level playing field for all Para athletes around the world.

In line with the IPC’s Suspension Policy, the Russian Paralympic Committee now has 21 days (28 August) to appeal the decision.

The effect of the suspension is that the Russian Paralympic Committee loses all rights and privileges of IPC membership. In particular, a member is not entitled to be heard, except with respect to their suspension, or to vote at meetings of members, and/or to enter athletes in competitions sanctioned by the IPC, and/or to participate in IPC activities. Consequently, the Russian Paralympic Committee will not be able to enter its athletes in the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

Sir Philip Craven, IPC President, said:

“This decision has placed a huge burden upon all our shoulders, but it’s a decision we’ve had to take in the best interests of the Paralympic Movement.

“Ultimately, as the global governing body for the Paralympic Movement, it is our responsibility to ensure fair competition, so that athletes can have confidence that they are competing on a level playing field.  This is vital to the integrity and credibility of Paralympic sport, and in order to achieve this it is fundamental that each member abides by the rules.

“Since the publication of the McLaren Report on 18 July our priority has been to establish the full facts in respect of Para sport. A decision of this magnitude must be evidence based and not influenced by the many and varied views of other people or organisations outside of the IPC and the Paralympic Movement.

“In particular, we have taken the necessary time to ask further questions of Professor McLaren and his investigation team, to await the results of samples undergoing further forensic examination and to invite the Russian Paralympic Committee to present its case to the IPC and enter into dialogue with the IPC Governing Board.

“With the full facts to hand, we were deeply saddened to find that the State-sponsored doping programme that exists within Russian sport regrettably extends to Russian Para sport as well.

“Tragically this situation is not about athletes cheating a system, but about a State-run system that is cheating the athletes.  The doping culture that is polluting Russian sport stems from the Russian government and has now been uncovered in not one, but two independent reports commissioned by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

“Our decision is driven by the need to hold our members accountable for their obligations. On the basis of the evidence we have, in the current environment our member the Russian Paralympic Committee cannot comply with the IPC’s Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Code.  Those obligations are crucial to the IPC’s guarantee of fair competition for all.

“I believe the Russian government has catastrophically failed its Para athletes. Their medals over morals mentality disgusts me.  The complete corruption of the anti-doping system is contrary to the rules and strikes at the very heart of the spirit of Paralympic sport.  It shows a blatant disregard for the health and well-being of athletes and, quite simply, has no place in Paralympic sport.  Their thirst for glory at all costs has severely damaged the integrity and image of all sport, and has certainly resulted in a devastating outcome for the Russian Paralympic Committee and Para athletes.

“I have deep sympathy for Russian Para athletes who will miss out on the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.  They are part of a broken system and we sincerely hope that the changes that need to happen, do happen. Russia has some top-quality athletes across all sports and we look forward to the day when we can welcome the Russian Paralympic Committee back as a member safe in the knowledge that it is fulfilling all its obligations in order to ensure a level playing field for all.”

Since opening suspension proceedings against the Russian Paralympic Committee on 22 July, the IPC has, among other things taken the following steps:

Step 1 – Further investigation of the “disappearing positive samples”

• The McLaren Report identified 35 samples related to Paralympic sport where a liaison person within the Moscow Laboratory notified the Deputy Minister of Sport Yury Nagornykh following a positive screen result.  Following this notification, samples were marked either as QUARANTINE or SAVE.  Such actions are a direct breach of both the World Anti-Doping Code and the IPC Anti-Doping Code.
• Following a request from the IPC on Monday 18 July, Professor McLaren provided the names of the 35 athletes associated with the 35 samples on Thursday 21 July, together with the dates the samples were provided, the possible substance the athletes tested positive for, the sample code numbers and whether the sample had been marked QUARANTINE or SAVE.
• On Saturday 6 August, the investigation team provided the IPC with an additional 10 samples, relating to nine athletes, which were part of the “disappearing positive” methodology.  In total the IPC now has information on 45 samples relating to 44 athletes.
• From these data, the IPC determined in what sports the 44 athletes compete, with the exception of one individual that has not been identified yet.
• Our research revealed that 17 of the 45 samples originate from athletes who participate in sports that are either not on the Paralympic programme or whose international federations are not recognised by the IPC.
• This leaves 27 samples that are related to athletes in eight Para sports that are part of the current Paralympic sport programme.  Five of the eight sports are summer sports whilst three are winter sports.
• Some of the Para sports associated with the 27 samples are ones that the IPC governs as an International Federation, whilst others are non-IPC sports that are governed by other International Federations.
• At least 11 of the 27 Para sport athlete samples were marked SAVE by the Moscow Laboratory.  This means that positive samples from these Para athletes were subsequently reported as a negative, and the athletes faced no punishment.
• Professor McLaren believes, that as with all sports listed in the report, there are likely to be even more samples that were included in the “disappearing positive” methodology.

Step 2 – Testing of 21 samples from the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games

• Although not directly referred to in the McLaren Report, the IPC now has evidence that the sample swapping regime that operated during the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games in the Sochi laboratory was also in operation during the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games.
• In total, the IPC sent 21 samples from seven Russian athletes who competed at Sochi 2014 to London for further forensic examination.  These samples were selected by the investigation team on an intelligence-led basis, together with a small number of additional samples chosen by the IPC.
• Upon receipt, the laboratory found that two samples had sediment in the cap which meant they could not be tested, leaving 19 samples that could be properly examined.
• Of the 19 samples, forensic examination established that the caps of 18 samples showed scratches and marks that were consistent with those found on the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games samples.
• DNA analysis confirms the clean urine which was swapped comes from the same athlete.
• According to the McLaren investigation team, the bottles examined are a representative sample that indicates Paralympic athletes were included in the broader doping scheme.  They believe that further investigations will uncover many more samples involved in this programme.
• Now that these data have corroborated the claim that this State directed scheme has involved Russian Paralympic athletes, the IPC plans to reanalyse every Russian sample from the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Games in the coming months.
• The IPC is also seeking further advice from the IPC Anti-Doping Committee and WADA on what measures can be taken to address the athletes associated with these samples, including results management.

Step 3 – Meeting with the Russian Paralympic Committee

• In accordance with the IPC’s Suspension Policy, the IPC provided sufficient time to allow the Russian Paralympic Committee to present their case to the IPC.
• On Friday 29 July, the Russian Paralympic Committee provided written submissions to the IPC Governing Board for consideration.
• On Wednesday 3 August, a seven-person delegation from the Russian Paralympic Committee visited the IPC’s headquarters in Bonn, Germany, to additionally present their arguments in person before the IPC Governing Board.
• Twelve of the IPC Governing Board members – six of which are Paralympians – participated in the three-hour meeting which also provided an opportunity for both parties to enter dialogue and ask and answer questions of each other.
• After this meeting, the IPC Governing Board convened for a further two hours to discuss the evidence it had before it.
• Questions that could not be fully answered in the meeting were responded to within 24 hours in writing.

Slot redistribution and next steps:

Following the decision, the IPC is now working with the relevant International Federations to determine how the 267 slots Russian athletes had secured across 18 sports for Rio 2016 can potentially be redistributed to other NPCs.  A final decision will not be taken on redistributing these slots until after the outcome of any potential appeal by the Russian Paralympic Committee is decided.

The IPC also will now begin developing the steps the Russian Paralympic Committee will need to take to meet its membership obligations.  By rule, the Russian Paralympic Committee’s suspension will be lifted immediately following the Governing Board’s determination that the member is once again able to meet its membership obligations in full.

The nominations are:

Gustavo Fernandez, ARG, wheelchair tennis

The 22-year-old won his first Grand Slam singles title at Roland Garros, winning all of his matches in straight sets after beating Japanese reigning champion Shingo Kunieda in the semifinals and Australian Open champion Gordon Reid of Great Britain in the final.

Georgina Hermitage, GBR, athletics

The T37 sprinter won four European titles in Grosseto, Italy, where she also set three world records and one Championship record.

Chuck Aoki, USA, wheelchair rugby

The 25-year-old was named the best player of the Canada Cup 2016, where the USA claimed gold, returning to the top of the world rankings.

Elena Krawzow, GER, swimming

World champion Krawzow impressed in her home pool in the women’s 100m breaststroke SB13 at the Internationale Deutsche Meisterschaften in Berlin, with a new world record time of 1:16.23.

Eleonora Sarti, ITA, archery

The 30-year-old set a new world record for the qualification round at the Italian National Para Archery Championships and is already confirmed for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. Sarti is the world No. 1 Para archer in the compound women’s open rankings, and the reigning world champion.

The public has until 12:00 (CEST) on Friday (8 July) to vote for the athlete they want to be the Allianz Athlete of the Month for June 2016 via the www.paralympic.org homepage.

The nominations are compiled from submissions by National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) and International Federations (IFs).

The 2016 winners so far are:

• January – Abdullah Sultan Alaryani, United Arab Emirates, shooting
• February – Andrey Smirnov, Russia, wheelchair curling
• March – Stephen McGuire, Great Britain, boccia
• April – Carlos Serrano, Colombia, swimming
• May – Shelby Watson, Great Britain, athletics