Paralympics should run alongside Olympics to change perceptions says athlete

Hannah Cockroft calls for the Paralympics to run alongside the Olympics so the sporting public would see the incredible efforts and skill on show.

Four-time Paralympics gold medalist Hannah Cockroft has said that she would like to see the Paralympics run alongside the Olympics. The British wheelchair racer made the comments after a study showed that over two-thirds of the public believe the Paralympics should take place alongside the Olympics.

She said: “I think the reason why they should run alongside each other is because I think it would change the way that the public see Paralympians. At the moment, the Paralympics do tend to be overshadowed by the Olympic Games. But if the two events ran alongside each other, it would give the public a chance to see what incredible efforts and skill are on show at the Paralympics. I think it would also help to change the way that people think about disability in general. If the public saw more of disabled people competing at the highest level, it would help to break down some of the stereotypes and prejudices that exist around disability.”

A study conducted by YouGov and the University of Bath found that over two-thirds of the public believe the Paralympics should take place alongside the Olympics. The study also found that nearly half of the public believe that the Paralympics are as exciting as the Olympics.

Dr. Susanne Bruyere, co-director of the Center for the Study of Disability at the University of Bath, said: "Our research shows that there is a clear public appetite for the inclusion of the Paralympics alongside the Olympics. The public want to see more of disabled people competing at the highest level, and they believe that the Paralympics are every bit as exciting and inspiring as the Olympics."

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has said that it is open to the idea of the Paralympics running alongside the Olympics. The IPC president, Andrew Parsons, said: "We are always looking at ways to improve the Paralympic Games and make them more inclusive. If there is a public appetite for the Paralympics to run alongside the Olympics, then we are certainly open to exploring that possibility."

If the Paralympics were to run alongside the Olympics, it would be a major logistical challenge. However, it is a challenge that would be worth overcoming. The Paralympics are an inspiring event that showcases the incredible efforts and skill of disabled people. Giving the public the chance to see more of the Paralympics would help to change the way that people think about disability.