SCMP Editorial

Editorial | Paralympic athletes deserve praise and fairness in rewards

Disabled competitors have not only added a new dimension to the Olympic movement, but also a new dimension of equality to their participation in society, and this needs to be recognised in the cash prizes they receive

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Hong Kong's Chu Man-kai, who won silver at the Tokyo Paralympics. Photo: Hong Kong Paralympic Committee

SCMP Editorial

Published: 9:52pm, 6 Sep 2021Updated: 11:25pm, 6 Sep 2021

Countries cherish the reflected glory of sporting achievement in international competition. But failure to reach expectations may prompt soul-searching about everything from nurturing of talent to coaching and training facilities and competitive opportunities. Disabled athletes are no exception.

The Paralympic Games just concluded in Tokyo are as intensely competitive as the Olympics that preceded them. Hong Kong’s team return home with a silver and bronze haul of five medals, their smallest in more than 40 years, compared with six medals, including two golds, at the 2016 Rio Games, and the record 19 medals, including 11 gold, in 2004.

Far from being drawn into any soul-searching, Hong Kong should say “Well done!” It is worth recalling the assessment of city chef de mission Wu Siu-ling, who said two silver and three bronze medals was a satisfactory result considering the difficult circumstances of the pandemic.

“The Games had been postponed for a year and the athletes were forced to stop training [and] adjust to lack of regional or international competition, [and ] forced to organise internal competitions [including] against able-bodied athletes.”

Disabled athletes are the essence of the core sentiment of the Olympic spirit. It is their taking part against the odds that counts, not the winning. They have not only added a new dimension to the Olympic movement, but also a new dimension of equality to their participation in society. If there is to be any soul-searching, it surely cannot be targeted at the dedication of athletes who triumph over physical and mental disadvantage, or at their coaches and other support staff, or officials who give up their time, which brings us to the rewards.