The Paralympics: Breaking Barriers and Celebrating Inclusivity

The Olympics may be over, but the 2024 Paralympic Games are here and team USA is set to build on their success from the Tokyo 2020 games. Catalight will be cheering them on as they continue to break down barriers and biases on an international stage.

Bringing home 104 medals, including 37 gold, team USA dominated the last competition, from the basketball court to the pool. Determination and grit were displayed from athletes like Tatyana McFadden and Jessica Long. McFadden, a wheelchair racer, added to her impressive medal collection, while Long, a swimming champion, became one of the most decorated para-athletes in U.S. history.

Swimmer Lawrence Sapp made history as the first Paralympic swimmer with autism to represent the United States in the “intellectual impairment” classification in the 2020 Tokyo Games. The debut showcased his incredible talent and emphasized the significance of providing opportunities for all.

As a company that seeks to break down systemic barriers and biases at every turn in order to create a more equitable world for people with developmental disabilities, the Paralympics are a powerful reflection of Catalight’s values.

“We structurally believe every human should have the tools, resources and space to truly thrive fundamentally operating with equity as a driving force,” said Catalight Chief Wellbeing and Experience Officer Tara Kousha. “The Paralympic Games embody this belief and, in so doing, display athletic excellence and a celebration of diversity.”

Paralympics and Equality

The Paralympics date back to 1948, when Dr. Ludwig Guttmann organized the first Stoke Mandeville Games for veterans with spinal cord injuries. Held in England, the games were initially small, with just 16 athletes, but they marked the beginning of a movement to empower athletes with disabilities. Eventually, this evolved into the Paralympic Games, which were first held in Rome in 1960 and featured 400 athletes from 23 countries.

Throughout the years, disparities have existed between the Olympics and Paralympics in media coverage and compensation. However, calls for equality are leading to much progress.

U.S. para-athletes recently reached pay equality with U.S. Olympic athletes. Formerly, para-athletes earned significantly less for winning than their Olympic counterparts—$7,500 for a gold medal compared to the $37,500 that Olympic athletes receive. The pay gap continued until 2018, when the U.S. Olympic Committee implemented equal pay for the Tokyo 2020 Games, pushing forward inclusivity and recognizing the accomplishments of para-athletes on the same level as Olympians.

There has also been remarkable growth toward achieving equal media coverage for the Paralympics, as compared to the Olympics. As the years progress, more and more people are watching the Paralympics. NBC stepped up coverage of the Tokyo Paralympics, creating major primetime buzz and increasing viewership by a remarkable 81% to two billion people globally. More than 160 nations are expected to televise this year’s games.

By taking place immediately following the Olympics, the Paralympics is given added media coverage and its own time on the world stage. Every athlete deserves their equal moment to shine.

The upcoming Paralympic Games are more than just a worldwide competition for athletes with disabilities—they are a celebration of diversity.

“We champion the idea that everyone deserves the chance to thrive, regardless of their differences,” said Kousha. “Catalight views it as our imperative to shine a spotlight on spaces that allow people with disabilities to showcase their full potential like the Paralympic Games.”

To catch all the action this year, watch the 2024 Paralympic Games from Paris on NBC or stream it on Peacock, beginning Aug. 28 through Sept. 8.