Summer of ’84: Celebration & Reflection of Rick Hansen’s Paralympic Journey
40 years ago, in the summer of 1984, Rick Hansen had the opportunity of a lifetime: he qualified to participate in the Men’s 1500m Wheelchair exhibition event at the Los Angeles Olympic Games.
This, alongside the Women’s 800m Wheelchair event, was the first time a paralympic event was held during the Olympic Games.
Earlier that summer, Rick also qualified for the Paralympic Games in Stoke Mandeville, England. There, he competed in the Men’s 1500m and the first ever Men’s Wheelchair Marathon event -- He won the gold medal in both.
This was a summer that inspired Rick. It helped him foster a dream of inclusion, where athletes with disabilities could participate at the highest level of sporting competition, including the Olympic Games.
The Paralympic Movement
“In 1984, the Olympics and the Paralympics were completely separate events, in different countries, at different times,” Rick explained.
The summer Rick competed first in the Paralympic Games in England in June, before flying to the Los Angeles Olympic Games in August. The two events were distinctly separate.
This separation continued until 1989, when the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) was founded. In 2001, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and IPC made a resolution to require that all future Olympic bid countries and cities include the organization of the Paralympic Games shortly after the Olympic Games, called the ‘One Bid, One City’ agreement.
"Guided by Canadian, Dr. Bob Steadward, The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) was formed in 1989, and it led to stronger relationships with the International Olympic Committee and an agreement to integrate the Paralympics as criteria to the rights for host cities bidding to host the games,” Rick explained.
This creation of the IPC marked a new era of para-sport, culminating in the two major games coming together
According to the IPC, the word “Paralympic” derives from the Greek preposition “para”, meaning alongside, and the word “Olympic”.
“Its meaning is that Paralympics are the parallel Games to the Olympics and illustrates how the two movements exist side-by-side,” according to the IPC website.
Come So Far, But A Long Way to Go
Over the last 40 years, para sport has grown significantly. The two events are now held in the same city, one after another.
But they are still separate.
“While much has happened to date to elevate the status of athletes with disabilities, there’s still a stigma by creating separate events based on disability,” Rick noted. “Much more effort needs to take place in order to gain maximum profile for Paralympic Athletes as well as to avoid the temptation to focus on the disability instead of focusing on the unique attributes of the sport or the exceptional talents of the athletes.”
Sport is a mirror to how society views itself. So, if we continue to have separate games, in the long term, is it going to serve athletes or is it going to further reinforce the stigma of disability at the Games?
Looking at the momentum that has already been generated, there are opportunities to bring more attention to the Paralympic Games and begin to integrate them further, creating a world where all athletes are treated the same.
“We need to continue to build bridges for sport for athletes with disability and ‘able bodied sport’,” Rick said.
By enhancing inclusion in major sporting events, we can promote a more equitable culture for all athletes, where everyone is treated the same.
A Message for the Athletes of Paris 2024
On August 28th, 2024, the Paris Paralympics will begin. Rick’s trip to the Paralympics was an important milestone in his journey as an athlete as well as adding fuel to a burning passion for creating a world where everyone can go everywhere.
“I wish the athletes much success in achieving their personal best as they work to fulfil their athletic goals, hopes and dreams,” Rick said. “Enjoy the moment. It is a once in a lifetime moment that is a privilege to be able to participate in. No matter how your event turns out, most importantly focus on the successes that will materialize in your journey and the lessons you will learn. I’m sure you will also find a way to pay it forward along the way”
