Jessica Sauer- Disability and Sports Spring 2022

     Sports have become a cornerstone in society, as they play such a large role in daily life. Their influences are countless including those from a financial standpoint, entertainment purposes, community values, and personal health, both physical and mental. Sports have a way of bringing people together by promoting competition but also by developing the union of ideals such as determination, sportsmanship, and fairness. The concept of being fair, or practicing fairness, is an ongoing conversation in many realms of the sports world. It is questioned whether or not rules support sport equity or if they cater to particular athletes and or teams. Doping is yet another hot topic when considering fair play, as well as equal training and practice opportunities. When considering athletes with certain disabilities, many question whether or not the utilization of adaptive technologies counteracts fair practices. The use of adaptive, and or assistive, technologies permits athlete...

     The Olympic Games are undoubtedly the greatest athletic showcase celebrated worldwide. Occurring every two years, as either the summer or winter Games, athletes from all around the globe come together and experience a commonality despite distance, culture, race, religious beliefs, and more. The similarity in mind is sport. Individuals are able to compete not only against one another, but also against themselves on a global stage. True grit, passion, and determination are put on display for all to see, with billions of viewers tuning in to each event. The Olympics appear at the forefront, supported by hours of media coverage, pre-event publicity, countless sponsorships, and an overall grander hype. The Paralympics follow behind, occurring just after the initial Games conclusion. They are similar to the Olympics, but competing athletes have some form of disability of either physical or intellectual nature. Paralympians have to work harder than typical athletes, and not...