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| Ellie Simmonds (Image: ibtimes.co.uk) |
I have written before that the Olympics has inspired many generations, exceeding Lord Sebastian Coe's expectations of it inspiring just "a generation". Now, as the Paralympics have concluded for another four years, we wonder to ourselves how much influence and effect this particular Games will have on people and to the future of funding sport for those with disabilities. Both Games have been enjoyable with more world records on, and off the track have been broken meaning non-mainstream sport has improved in its quality and recognition. So much in fact that BSkyB have decided to draft a plan to launch a dedicated channel to broadcast Olympic sports like judo, basketball and archery.
But what about the Paralympics? The athletes in this tournament have been superb, being highly appreciative to the support by millions of Brits and many more worldwide and were humble to be part of a Games that has seen record breaking broadcasting air time. It leaves me to say that Channel 4's coverage was spectacular. The channel managed to bring the likes of Clare Balding and Jonathan Edwards from the BBC after their impressive performances in the Olympics through their knowledge, wit and charm. Channel 4 also educated us with the disabilities the Paralympians suffered, such as cerebral palsy, loss of limbs and blindness through its insightful Lexi programme. Certainly, the channel had its minor faults such as the commercial overload (though this has been praised as a marketing success) and not accommodating those who suffered from deafness. They lacked someone doing sign language during its live footage but considering it was the channel's first time broadcasting the Paralympic Games, they put on an impressive showing and they also put the United States to shame as the country only showed highlights for each evening on NBC Sports and no live coverage.
The recognition of Paralympians in Britain has been immense and I am pleased to see the fantastic turnouts in the Olympic Park. Some before may have seen wheelchair users, or with other disabilities in a different light now compared to this time two weeks ago, a positive light. This Paralympics had more of a human touch and made "ability" more visible in "disability", and there have been some that will inspire other people suffering from a certain disability. Those like swimmer Ellie Simmonds who was born with achondroplasia, sprinter Jonnie Peacock and 7/7 bombings survivor Martine Wright, who represented GB in sitting volleyball proved that even if you have a disability from day one in your life, or suddenly during your life, you can still do something remarkable - whether it is in sport, management in a major company, or charity and political campaigns.
However, the Paralympic Games occurs every four years. The awareness of disability in sport must continue and be recognised consistently. Football stars in Britain are treated like A-list celebrities, it's time for both Olympians and Paralympians to receive similar attention. They don't need to receive £120,000 a week but they could be positive role models to the younger generation. Creating a new magazine about disability in sport can be one idea but another way of approaching this is for the government to be involved.
I know what you're thinking - a bit of a groan, I may hear but in the last week, the Culture department has changed. Jeremy Hunt will no longer be required to take care of media and sport related affairs but now can jeopardise the future of the NHS by becoming the new Health Secretary. He has now been replaced by Maria Miller. She used to be Shadow Secretary for Family Welfare before working in the Department of Work and Pensions - so you can correctly argue that she is in a completely different role. David Cameron's approach in this government reshuffle appears strange at first glance but with some MPs changing their roles, we will be able to source the long term effects of the economy by the end of the year. It will be difficult to predict the outcome but regardless, patience is a virtue.
That goes without saying, I feel Maria Miller would be an ideal person to further the legacy of Olympic and Paralympic sports. Let's put her political ideologies and the fact the Department for Work and Pensions has affected millions of people negatively aside, but as long as she and Sport Minister Hugh Robertson recognises the positive effect London 2012 has made, they can take the last month to their advantage. If they don't, they have missed out on something remarkable. Sport in Britain has escalated in popularity thanks to the Olympics and Paralympics and instead of sports stars being considered as money-oriented, why not exploit their human side in greater detail?
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