The evolution of the Paralympic Games Brittain, I.S.

Published version deposited in CURVE March 2012

Original citation & hyperlink: Brittain, I.S. (2008) 'The evolution of the Paralympic Games ' In Richard Cashman and Simon Darcy(Eds). Benchmark Games: The Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games (pp: 19-34). Petersham, New South Wales: Walla Walla Press. http://www.wallawallapress.com/benchmark_paralympics.php

ISSN: 9781876718053

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THe EVoLUTToNoF THEPARALyMpTc Gnues

Ian BritLain

The wheelchair Gamesheld in Rome in 1960 are now acceptedas the first Paralympic Games,although at the time they were known as the Ninth Internati.onalStoke Mander,'illeGames. However. it took some decadesfor the Paralpnpic Gamesto establishboth their name and their cont.emporaryidentity. One of the intriguing issuesabout the ParalympicGames is how this small niche festival,which involved a minority of athleteson the marglns, reinvented itself by establishinga connec[ion to the premier multi-sport 'Paralympic'. festivalthus adopting the name This becamethe recognised term denoting the disability sppn equivalentof the Olympic Games.Dr Lugwrg Guttmann,the founder o[ the Paral].'rnpicmovement, championed the Olympic connectionover three decades.His persuasiveadvocacy was partially acceptedinitially, sometimesresisted and even challenged,but eventuallyprevailed so that the Paralinnpic-Olyrnpicrelationship changed from a more informal to a more formal one. This chapter suggests that the Olympic acceptance of the Paralympic relationship occurred gradually after some Olympic individuals in high placesprovided an initial acceptanceof Paralympic sport. However, it took some time for the IOC to recogniseand deal with the implications of the Olympic branding of the Paral)."r'npicsand to estabiisha preferredrelationship. This chapterwill alsoshow that the internationalmedia playeda role in the promotion of the'Paralympic'name,which they had beenpromoting from 1960. Guttmann and the IOC would have preferredanother name (seebelow). Why did the word Paralln-npicsappeal to joumalists?Probably it wasshorteq sharper and more newsworthythan such terrnsas Paraplegic Ol;'rnpics. The meaning of the word Paralyrnpicchanged over several decades.Initially it was a combination of paraplegrcand Olympic but as more disability groupsjoined the movementi.t was necessary for the name to take on a new meaning. 20 Benchmark Games Chapter2:The evolutionof the ParalympicGames 21 Birthof a movement(194F1959) hospital,the paraplegrchad accessto societythrough a loca1archery club. , 'these Guttmannstated that experimentswere the begrnningof a systematic Ludwig Gu[tmann was a German-Jewishneurologrst who fled Nazi deveiopmentof competitivespoft for the paralysedas an essentialpart of Germanywith his famrly in 1939, eventua\ sertling in England where their medicalrehabilitation and socialre-integration in the communi.tyof a he undertook work at Oxford UniversityzHe was appointedby the British coun[ry like GreatBritain where spoft in one form or anotherplays such an Governmentin September1943 as director of the National SpinalInjuries essentialpan in the life of so many people'.6 Unit at the Ministry of PensionsHospital, StokeMandeville, Aylesbury ro take care of the numerous soldiers and civilians sufferingfrom war-time spinal rnjuries. Guttmann brought a new philosophy to rhe ffeatment of A modestbeginning suchpariens and many of hls colleagueswere surprised by his enthusiasm 'They The Paraiympic Games began modestly as an archery demonstration for what they perceived as an utterly daunrrng task. could not 'how betweentwo teamsof paraplegicsfrom the Ministry of PensionsHospital at understand',commented Guttmann, I could leave Oxford University StokeMandeville and the Star and GarterHome for Injured War Veterans to be engulfedin the hopelessand depressingtask of looking aftertraumaric at Richmond in Surrey However, the date chosenfor the event, 29 July spinalparaplegics'.I 1948, was auspiciousbecause it coincidedwith the operungceremony of Before1939, there is little evidenceof organisedefforrs to developsport the London Olympic Games,heid just 35 miles ^w^y aLWembleiz Given forthe disabled,especiallythosewrthspinalinjunes. Theywere consideredto Guttmann'smany later attempts to capitaliseon the Olyrnpic name, it is havelittle hope of sun'rval.Foliowing the war, however,medical authonries hard to escapethe conclusionthat the choice of this date was a conscious were prompted to re-evaluatetraditional methods of rehabilitation, which effort to gain as much publicity as possiblefor disabledsport at this time. were not satisfactorilyaddressing the medical and psychological needsof The eventattracted some notice in the local papercand evena short piece the large number of soldiersdisabled in combat.2According to McCann, 'recognised inThe Times.Guttmann la[er statedthat this eventdemonstrated that sport Guttmann the physioiogrcaland psychologrcal valuesof sport was not the exclusivepresewe of the able-bodied.7 in the rehabilitationof paraplegichospital inpatients'.3 His aim 'Grand was to both Guttmann's Festival of Paraplegic Sport', as the second rnstil a senseof self-worthin patientsand to changethe attitudesof society incamationof the Gameswere described, was held on27 JuIy 1949.Because towards the spina\ rn;ured. He believedthat his patientscould become of the work of Guttmann and his staffand the enthusiasmof former Stoke useful members of society and complere rastrStoke Mandeville ro visir a number of able-bodied to make the Gamesintemational. The first step towards the reaiisationof archeryclubs in later years.This helped break down the bamers between Guttmann'sdream occurred in 1952,when a teamof four paraplegicsfrom the community and the patientsand alsomeant that once dischargedfrom the MilitaryRehabilitationCentre, Aardenburg, in the Netherlands,attended 22 Benchmark Games ChapterZ:The ev_olutionof the ParalympicGames 23 the Games.In his openingspeech Gu*mann drew artentionto the Helsinki containedarticles and adr,rceto paraplegicsand often gavespace to reports oiympic Games,which were being held at ihe sametime and added rhat on the spors activitiesat the hospital. Becausepractical information of he hoped that the parapregrcGames, as he cailed them, would becomeq,s assishnceto paraplegicswas in short supply, copies of this journal were internationaland as widely known asthe Ol).,mpicGames.r0 often sent abroad,thereby spreadingnews of the Gamesand Guttmann's over the nextfouryears the internationarprtfire of thestoke Mandevilre rehabilitationmethods. The joumal continuedto be publisheduntll 1983. Gamesrose dramaticalry;by 1956 athrete, f.o- 18 nations attendedthe Guttmannhimself, thirdly, was a major playerin promoting the Games. Gamesand a totalof 2r differentnarions had competedsince 1952.r some He would often travel abroad attendrngconferences, giving lectures and of the przes were presentedat the Games porritt, by sir Arthur who wasa evenproviding evidencein court cases.He would invariably avail himself British loc member and a s_urgeonlike porritt Guttmann. statedthat,The of every opponunity to promote the Gamesand the value of spoil as a spirit of rheselStoke Mander,rlle] Games goes beyond the olympic Games rehabilitativetool. spirit. You competenot only wrth skill and endurancebut with courageand Fourthly,Guttmann was very polltically astutein promoting disabled bravery roo.'A few weeks rater pomtt wrote to otto Mayer,chanceilor of sport.From the very first Gamesin l94B he invited prominen[ political and the loc, nominating rhe Gamesfor rhe Fearnley 'meritorious Cup, which was awarded socialfigures, and later added spons starsand celebritiesto lift the profi1e for achievementin the service ' or in" oty-pi. rllorr.*"rrr of the Gamesto attract greatermedia attention.After securingthe Fearnley Porritt was cerrain that Lord Burghley the other Bntish Ioc member, Cup, Guttmanninvited AveryBrundage, the IOC president,and other IOC would suppon his actron.while Mayer was uncerrainabour the eligibrlrty membersto the 1957 StokeMander,rlle Games.l6 of the StokeMandeville Games for this olympic award,r3he submitted this Fina\ Guttmann continued to make comparisonsbetween the nomination to rhe ioC sessionheld at Melbourne in 1956. The members Oli.'rnpicGames and the StokeMandeville Games. The O11'rnpiccomparison voted to awardthe FeamleyCup to the Stoke MandevilleGames. had two benefits.lt gaveathletes with disabilitiesa greatersense of self- This wasihe first occasionwhen this cup had beenawarded to any kind worth. ll wasalso an effectivetactic to aLLractmedia atten[ionand to arouse of disabilrtysporr organisation.The award oi the Fearnleycup *.orr.ug"a public interest-in Lhedisabled games. Guttmannro dream of biggerthrngs. when referringto th" r"a-r.y c,rp i' his openingspeech .I atthe r95T Gameshe statedtha"t hope this is onry the beginningof a closer connecrionbetween the stoke MandevirleGames and Earlyusage of the term Paralympic the ol1'r'npicGames. In the past few yearsI have alwaysemphasised that constant the Stoke Mandeville Guttmann's Olympic-Paralympic comparison bore fruit in Gameshave becomethe equivatentofihe oll,rnpic Games.' the media. As previously noted, a headline in the BuchsAdvertiser Gu*mann added that he hoped that the next orympic Gamesat €eAylesbury News on 29 July 1949 declaredthat "'Olympic Games" Romewould havea separatesection for paraplegics.la Of Disabled Men is Born at Stoke'. The same newspaperreferred to the'Wheeichair Ol;'mpiad'on 3 August 195I, and after the Games Promotingthe cause attracted international competition in the following year, there was 'And another headline on 1 August 1952: Now The Wheel-Chair It is surprising that an_eventthar beganmodesrry in 1948 grew so rapidry Olympics'. The BuclesAdvertiser & Aylesbury News also provided in a decadeand gainedsome Ioc recognition.liTh..".'.i 'Paralympic' proruuly five the first known referenceto the term (as distinct from main reasonsfor this impressivegrowth. Paralympiad)on 7 August 1953 when a front pageon the Games In the early yearsmuch of the driving force _ for the growth appears statedthat'The Paralympics,started at StokeMandeville in 1948with to have been due to former padents ol D. Grttmann,s who were only 16 competitors,have this year becomean event attractingworld- transferredto other spinarunits and took what rhey had rearned,and wide interest'.On 14 August 1953 the same paper ran a headline their enthusiasmfor it,^with them. Many of 'Swimming-Latest them ..,rrn.J f.u. ur,., ParalympicGame'. year to take part in the Games. It did not take long for this term to be used internationally.The secondlythe first edition of Thecordwas published in 1947. This USA-publishedParaplegia News ran a story in November 1953 under 24 Benchmark Games Chapter 2: The evolution of the Paralympic Games 25 'Stoke 'Olympics would the headline Mandeville Paral;''rnpics'.The earliestwritten use wereworthy of the title of the Paralysed',a title which 'the minules of the of the term appearedin the summerissue of Cordin 1951,when come ro grearerprominence in 1976. A note in the rather David Hinds, a paraplegic at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, wrote an ISMGC commifteein 1965 seemedro suppon the Labanowi.ch 'Alice 'it fair, as article entitled at the Paralymplad',whlch was a skit on {ice than the Scruton view. Guttmann then noted that was only the in Wonderland.However, none of thesearticles explain how the term with the olympic Games, [that] rhe name of their Games remain in cameabout. A possibleclue comesfrom two articlesin a speclaledition StokeMandeville Games out of respectfor the placeand the country of The Cord celebratingten years of the Spinal Unit in 1954. In one which they were [ounded'.]e Games afticle, Dora T. Bell, the physiotherapistattached to the unit, referred while rhe minures of the lnrernational stoke Mandeville 'Paraolympics of the to the of Stoke Mandeville' and in a second article Committee confirm Guttmann's stance, he was not the only critic 'Paraplegic 'raisedthe Ward SisterMerchant referredto the Olympics'.17lt would Paralympiclabel. According to the sameminules, the IOC also "Paralympics"'.20 the appear then that the term Paralympicsbegan as an amalgamationof strongestobjections to the use of the word However, Rome the words paraplegicand Olympics, which hasbeen shoftenedfurther intemationalpress ignored such views and continued to refer to the to the more newsworthy word, Paralympics.What is also clear from Gamesas the'Paraiympics'.21 were the increasingusage of the term Paralympicby the media during the With Tokyo chosento host the 1964 Olympic Games,eflforts I95Os is that it is used to refer to ali the Gamesheld annually from made to againstage the StokeMandeville Games in thls Oll.rnpic city This 1948 to1959, as is reinforced by the heading in the New YorhTimes deiiberatelinking of the StokeMandevilie Games with the host clty of the of 2l August 1960 which stated'USto send24 Athletesto Romefor Olympic Gameson a secondoccasion added more layersto the meaningof Annual "Paralympics"Event'. the StokeMandeville Games and the Paralympics.The term'Paralympic'- 'Parapiegic With the disabledGames of 1960 taking place in the Oii.'mpic city as a contractionof the Ol1'r-npicslbecamemuch more specific held of Rome in 1960-away from Stoke Mandeville and Great Bntain-the and referredto the edirionof the lntemationalStoke Mandeville Games meaningand usageof the term was aboutto changeand becomeeven more in the Ol)nnpicyear. The BuchsAdvernser & AylesburyNews, which was the specific.However, it took more than two decadesfor what becamethe four- firstpapertousethetermParal)''rnpicinlg53,recognisedthisdistinction'lt (from yeardisabled summer festival (with the addition of a winter festivalin 1976) describedthe Gamesat stoke Mandevillein non-o1;'r-npicyears 1961 to be known solelyas the ParalympicGames. to 1963) as the lnternationalStoke Mandeville Games'22 However,there were as many as three separatenames for the 1964 Games: Thefirst ParalympicGames Paral1.a:nplc ]- The lnternational Stoke Mandeville Games-Guttmann's Guttmann'spersistence in forgrng a link between the Stoke Mandeville preferredoption. Gamesand the Ol1'rnpicGames took a grant leap forward at the annual Z. The Tokyo Gamesfor the PhysicallyHandicapped meetingof the World VeteransFederation in Romein May 1959. Foilowing 3. The Parall'rnPics discussionswrth various individuals from the lnstituto Nazionale per of the world'spress continued to I'Assicurazionecontro gli Infortuni sul l-avoroand Dr Maglio of the Spinal In contrastto Guttmann, the majority did the organisers,who were Unit in Rome,it was agreedto host the 1960 Gamesin the Ol1'rnpiccity of prefer the title Paralympics,as Japanese though he was a member of the Rome a few weeks after the Ol1'r-npicGames. While these Gamesare now not persuadedby Guttmann, even regardedas the first Paralpnpic Games,Gu[tmann sti1lpreferred the title organisingcommittee. this problemby including more than of the (9th) lntemational Stoke Mandeville Games.Iabanowich believed The organisingcommittee solved the term Paralynpic is larger and that Guttmann was keen to retain the StokeMandeville connection in [he one name on Gamespublicitlz However, StokeMandevilie Gamesin the emerginginternational games.r8 However, Scruton claims that Guttmann more prominent than the term lntemational threedifferent pamphlets that regardedthe athletesas hanng truly Ol1'rnpit statureand that the Games 1964 Gamesposter. The orgamsersproduced 26 Benchmark Games Chapter 2:The evolution of the Paralympic Games 27 peace were identical exceptfor the name of the Games.23The Corporation, The Oly'r'npicorganising committee declined io do so on the grounds that which developeda range of Olympic advertising,produce.d a cigarene the Oly.rnpicvillage was to be converted into housing immediately after the 'Paraly'rnpic'. packet that was headed with the word The Tolryo Games Games,causing a problemwith the accommodationof Paralinnpicathletes. 26 logo featured the Paral),rynpicheading and consisredof a dove of peace The University of Heidelberg,in Germany,proved an attractivealtemative. with five interlocking wheels. The usual Interna[ional sroke Mandevi]le The Gameswere again bilied as the lnternational Stoke Mandeville Games GamesFederation (ISMGF) logo, bryconrrast, featured three interlocking by the organisingcommittee, but the presscontinued to refer to the Games wheelchairwheels represenring friendship, unity and sportsmanship.This as the Paralympics.The busesthat were used to ransport athletesat the may have been an attempt to replicate the five Ol1'rnpicrings. Gameshad'Paralymp rcs-I97 2' boldly displayedin the destinationpanel.27 Dr LeonardoRuiz from the InstitutoMeicano deRehabilitacion w as oart of an observationteam that artendedthe 1964Totrvo Games to explorerhe possibilityof stagingthe 1968Paralympic Games in rhe sameplace, Menco Developmentof sport for otherdisability groups City,as the next Oiympic Games.While rherewas promisinginitial progress Organisations for some other disability groups, such as the vision towardsthis goal,the Mexico City organisingcommittee by 1966 opted our impaired and amputeeathletes, had emergedby 1960. Recognisingthe of hostingthe Paral;..rnpicsdue to financialconstraints and accessproblems need to organise international sports for disability groups other than with facilities.2a paraplegics,the International Working Group on Sports for the Disabled Following offers from New York (USA) and Tel Aviv (Israel) ir was was set up in 1960 under the aegisof the World VeteransFederation, decided that the 1968 Gameswould be heid in lsrael. Although rhe Tel whose headquarterswere in Paris. Unfortunately, the organisation was Aviv organising committee did not feature the name Paraiympics, media dissolvedin 1964due to languageand other differences. The International and disability groupsconrinued ro refer ro the Paral;rmpicGames.25 SportsOrganisation for the Disabled(iSOD) was founded in its place at Effortswere again made ro stagerhe IgT2Paralympicsin the Olympic a meetingin Parisin 1964.28ISOD remainedunder the patronageof the city of Munich. World VeteransFederation until 1967,when it becamean independent organisationwithits headquarterstransferred to StokeMandeville. In the sameyear, the British LimblessEx-Servicemen's Association organised the first internationalsports competition for amputeesat StokeMandeville. Guttmann, now Sir Ludwig Guttmann, after being knighted for semces to the disabiedin 1966,became president of both ISMGFand ISOD. He used this dual role to help brlng the different disability groups together in the sameGames. Initially ISOD representeda number of disabllity groups, but by 19Bl both the blind and the cerebralpalsied had broken away to form their own international federations.ln 2004 ISOD, then representing amputeesand les autres,merged wrth the International StokeMandeville 'Paralyrnpic' In a 1964 Gamesposter, the word wasJar morepromineht and larger Wheelchair Sports Federation (ISMWSF) to form the International 'Intemational 'ze than the StoheMandeville Games'. The word'paralympic' alsofeah,ved Wheelchairand AmputeeSports Federation (IWAS) ISOD and ISMGF in a cigarettepachet producedby the PeaceCorporation for the 1964 TohyoGames. cooperated in the organisation of the Paralympic Summer Games rn Thesymbol oJ five interlochingwheelswas appropnate since all the athletesperformed Torontoin1976 andArnhemin 1980. in wheelchairs Qan Bittain) . 28 Benchmark Games Chapter2:The evolutionof the ParalympicGames 29

Theuse of Olympicterminology . He further claimed that the disabledgames were the real Ol;nnpics becausethey adhered more closely to the ideals of the founder Montreal, Canada,was chosento host tlre 1976 Olyrnpic Games,bur once Pierrede Coubertin. againthe Paralympicswere nor held in rhe O\'rnpic city Twoorher disability . 'Olympic' 'Ol;,mpics', groups-amputees and visua\ impaired-joined the next SummerGames The term or he added, couid be found ln which were held in Toronto, Canada,thus transformingthe parall'rnpics the London telephonedirectory and appliedto a wide varietyof into a multi-disability event,which in turn alfectedrhe evolving terminology servicesincluding cleanersand hair salons. usedto describethe Gameswith the inclusion of other disabilitygroups in . Guttmann made it clear, finally, that untii the IOC inciuded Games the Gamesit wasno longerappropriate to referto them asthe International flor the disabled within the O11'mpicGames, the disabled spofts 'Olyrnpics'.33 Stoke Mandeville Gamesor-the Parall.rnpicGames, in the senseof the movementwould continue to call their Games Paraplegicoi1'mpics. The commirteesof ISMGF and ISoD resoivedto 'Ol1'mpiad Threeweeks later Guttmannreceived a responsefrom Berlioux,claiming call the Toronto Gamesthe for the PhysicallyDisabled', which 'Torontolynnpiad'. that there had obviously been a misunderstanding with regard to the the organisersshortened to rhe Earlier that year ISOD relationshipbetween the IOC and ISMGF Shestated thar the IOC was had stagedthe first Paral;.'mpicWinter Gamesin OrnskOldvik, Sweden anxiousto provide patronageto ISMGFand requestedthat a meetingbe for amputeeand lesualiy impaired athletes.ISoD choseto call the winter arrangedwith Lord Killanin.3aA meeting between Sir Ludwig and Lord Gamesat ornskdldvik the winter olpnpics for rhe Disabled'.For the first Killanin took place over the Chnstmasperiod rhat year.The outcome time the medalsof the Gamesno longer bore the name InternationalStoke of the meetingappears to havebeen that the iOC would give assistance Mandeville (see Games below). and patronage to the disability sporrc movement, providing it would The Paralyrnpic 'Olyrnplad' use of the temi was fi.rst drawn to the desistfrom using Olympic terminology after the Toronto Games.Killanin attention of the IoC by the International ski Federationin Sepiember agreedin principle to press for iOC recognition of ISMGF at the IOC r975-3oThe secrerarygeneral of this Federationwrote rhar eengittollen, sessionin Innsbruck.35 head of the organisingcommittee for the disabledwinter Games,claimed Killanin again wrote to Guttmann in March to confirm that the IOC that Guttmann had been given the right verbally [o use rhe term'Ol;..mpic ExecutiveBoard had agreedto recognisethe ISMGF'in principle'providing Games'for stoke Mandevillecompetitions. Madame Berlioux then wrote to this body refrained from the use of Olympic terminology after Toronto. Guttmann on behalfof the Ioc making it clearthat no suchverbal or wrirten This would occur after a fina1check to ensurethat all ISMGF rules were authority 'ful1y had been provided. she askedGutmann to ensurethat both rhe in compliance with the Rules, Regulationsand Principles of the ISMGFand ISOD would refrainfrom using suchterms.3l Six dayslater, IOC IOC'.36The technicaldirector of the IOC wrote [o Guttmann in May with a presidentLord Killanin sentMadame Berlioux a memo requestingher to set seriesof questions,which were answeredpromptly3T After Guttmann sen[ up a meeting 'in wrth Guttmann. Killanin added that it was advisable the Berlioux and Killanin a repoft of the Gamesin Toronto, there was limited interestsof both the olympic Movement and humanity . for the Ioc to communicationbetween the IOC and Guttmann until early 1978. encourage such actir,rtiesprovided the situationis absolutelyclear'.32 Despite concerted efforts by Guttmann, he failed to persuadethe Disappointed by the stance of the IOC, Guttmann wenr on rhe Russiarsto host the 1980 Parail'mpic Games,and so at a joint meeting offensiveand penned a three-pagereply outlining why he believedthat the of ISMGF and ISOD in July 1977 it was decided that Arnhem, in the disability spofis movementwas entirled to use Ol;'mplc terminology and Netheriands,should host them. It was also agreedthat the Winter Games would continue to use it. His argumentscan be summarisedas follows: should be held in Geilo, Norway and be organisedas a joint ISMGF-ISOD . Guttmann ciearly consideredrhe IOC had recognisedthe ISMGF operationas paraplegrcswould take part.38It was proposedto refer to the as an'Olympic Organisation'whenit awardedit the FearnieyCup Amhem Gamesas the Olyrnpicsfor the Disabled1980 and the GeiioGames in 1956. asthe 2nd Winter Oly'r-npicsfor the Disabled. After the IOC becameaware of the proposed titles for the Games, 30 BenchmarkGames Chapter2:'fhe evolutionof the ParalympicGames 3l

Berlloux again wrote to Guttmann in February 1978 about the use of Olympic terminology. Guttmann respondedby stating rhat he was srill awaiting written confirmation of the IOC decision to recogniseISMGE Throughout the remainderof 1978 correspondenceflowed backwardsand forwardsbetween Berlioux and Gutmann in order to find a solution to the problem to enableIOC patronageof the ISMGF However, a number of new politlcal issues surfaced that made decision-makingdifficul[. One concern was tha[ the USOC had licensed the SpecialOl1'mpics organisation in the USA to call itself by rhat name.3e This came to light when the Special Olyrnpics Organisationmade an applicationto join ISOD in 1978. ln addirion, the IOC preferredto recognisejust one organi.sa[ionthat would representthe entire disabled sportsmovement despite the fact that ISOD and ISMGFwere two separate entities,with a common presidentin Guttmann. Finally,South Africa was Theword'Olympiad'Jeaturedintwodift'erent ways in themedal Jor the 1976 Toronto 'Torontolympiad' 'Olympiad a full member of both ISOD and ISMGF and competed with a totally GamesQeft): and For ThePlrysically Disabled'.The 'Olympics racially integratedteam. However, the IOC had banned South Afnca from words t'or theDisabled' featured in thel9B0 Arnhem Games (right) despite (Ian Oly.rnpiccompetition and did not want to recognisean organisationthat theIO C continuingto have reservations about such branding Brittain). ailowedSouth African participation.aO In the autumn of 1979, Sir Ludwig suffereda coronary rhrombosis US NationalWheelchair Athletic Associationin 1980,America was selected and died in March 1980. News of his dearhwas obviously slow ro reach as the host country TheseGames were, however,to be split into ISMGF the IOC as Killanin sent an intemal memo to Berlioux in late March ISBO Games,to be organisedby NWAA, and ISOD Games,to be organisedby noting that he had not heard from Guttmann for sometime and assuming ISOD at a separatevenue at around the sametime. ln October 1980 Lipton that this must have beenbecause of his old age.Killanin ended the memo issued a position paper stating the reasonsfor NWAIb decision to hold by statingthat nevertheless'the (a) separategames.a3 With the acceptanceof this decision,the possibility was correctthing would be that theseGames 'Paral1.'rnpic' for resurrectthe use of the term and for should not [ake placein the Olyrnpic counrry 6) rheyshould not be called now open NWAA to the O11.rnpicGames but whatever gamesthey like, under the patronage the first time to officially attach it to the ISMGF Games,which would be just of the LO.C.'41After rhe death of Gurrmann,the atritude of the IOC for paraplegics.The Gameswere set to take place at the University of 'International for seemedto harden. MadameBerlioux wrote to Mr ldenburg, presidentof Illinois, Urbana-ChampaigninJuly, with the ISOD Games the NetherlandsOlynpic Commirreein May 19BOasking him if anyrhing the Disabled'taking placein NassauCounty, New York inJune. 'Ol;.rnpics could be done under Dutch law to sroprhe useof the ritle for the From the very begrnning the organisingcommittee called itself the 1984 Parai)mrpicsSteering Committee and useda logo of threeintertwined Disabled'.Then, rather bizarrely,considering the Gamesfinished on 5 July she wrote to Henrik Mer3ers,managing director of the SportsDinsion for circles,deriving from the three wheelchairwheels that had been used by the Gameson 17 October,asking if it was nor roo late for him to drop rhe ISMGF for severaldecades. The USOC took exceptionto both the name 'Olympics'. word Sheconcluded by indicating the possibilityof litigation.a2 and the three-ringedlogo claimrngthat they'may tend to causeconfusion 'olFnpics The 1980 Gamesmedal indicates thar rhe title of for the Disabled' with the Oipnpic Games'.a+Responding to the USOCobjections, Dr Robert wasused (see below). Jackson,the new presidentof ISMGEwrote to IOC PresidentSamaranch in LosAngeles was selected as rhe host of the l9B4 Olynpic Games.There 1983 requestingthat the iOC approveboth the nameand 1ogo.Samaranch is no evidencethat either ISMGF or ISOD made any atrempt ro sragerhe respondedby sayng that the IOC sawno objectionio the request,but that Paral;rmpicsin LosAngeles. Foliowrng a bid by BenLipron, chalrmanof the final responsibilrtylay with USOC.45 32 Benchmark Games Chapter 2: The evolution of the Paralympic Games 33

Due to major problems,mainly fundraising,the SummerParal1-rnpic could take piace at the SarajevoWtnter Olympic Gamesin 1984 and, if Games,scheduled to be stagedat the University of Illinois in 1984, were successful,a demons[rationevent might alsobe added to the Los Angeles scrappedin March 1984.At very short notice the British ParaplegicSports Summer Games.This was confirmed at a meeting of the IOC Executive Societyagreed to organisethe Gamesat StokeMandeville. Despite the short Boardin earlysummer of 1983.50 time frame, [he Gameswent aheadunder the title MI World Wheelchair Earlier,in late 1982,the IOC had shown a willingnessto work closely Games--Paralympics,UK I9B4' (seebelow). Scruton claims that thiswas the with the disabled sports movement when its Executive Board meeting in first time the term'Parall.rnpics'wasused with the full approvalof the iOC.+6 October l9B2 agreedto allow the use of the Oll'rnpic rings in the logo It is alsounclear whether permissionto use the terrn was sought from the for what were calledthe 1984 World Winter Gamesfor the Disabled.This 'Ol1'rnpic' British Olympic Association.\evertheless, at a meetingof the intemational had been granted on the understandrng that the term would be '3rd Co-ordinating Committee (lCC) (seebelow) in the Netherlandsin February dropped from ISODs preferredtitle of Winter Olympic Gamesfor the 'Parai;rynpic 1985, it was agreedthat the term Games'be used for ICC Disabied'.5lSamaranch also agreed to attendthe Gamesin person.This was Games,summer and winter, held in Olympic years.aTHowever, given that to be the start of a much closerworking relationshipbetween the iOC and 'Paralympic' these would be multi-disability Games, this use of the term the disability sports movement. 'Parallel was altered from the original'ParaplegicOlympics' to Oly.rnpics' The closerworking reiationshipbetween iCC and the IOC paved the meaningalongside or levelwith. way for much closeriinks betweenthe ol1'rnpic and the disability sports movements,culminating in the stagingof the ISBB Paralympic Gamesin the ^Levery summer and Relationswith the IOC Olympic city of Seoul.This pattem hasbeen repeated

This apparent thawing of attitudes within the IOC towards the use of the III.WELTWINTERSPIELE FORKORPERBEH 3! WORTDWINTER GAMES FOR IHE DISABTEP term Paral)rmpiccame about following a number of meetingsand events } JRJXDHIVR DUMONDE POUR I.ES I-IANDICAPES ffi that assistedin a closer working relationship between the IOC and the disabilityspofts movement. ln I9Bl, both the InternationalBlind Sport Association (IBSA) and the Cerebral Palsied-International Sports and CQQ Recreation Association (CP-ISRA) broke away from iSOD to become n independentbodies. However, at a meeting in Leysin,Switzerland, in E March 1982, the four iniernational bodies (ISMGE ISOD, IBSA, CP- ilIil ISRA)joined together to form the ICC.aBWhile remaining independent tTtttfl in terms of the development of their own disability groups, the four n-nn organisationsused ICC to betterco-ordinate the major gamesfor athletes with a disability. This also provided the opportunity for one single body Y)#)/ to relate to the IOC as a representativeof the disabled groups that pafiicipatedin the contentiouslynamed Olympics for the Disabled. r.l{sacucK{Ibl AUsTRA A meeting rook place between ICC and the IOC in February 1983, at the 1984Stohe Mandeville at which President Samaranchmade it clear that the IOC wished the Thedualbranding oJ the ParatympicGames continued VII World WheelcltairGames but it was also disabled spoils movement to become part of the Olympic.movement. Games:a medaldeclared that it was the timethewordParalympicwas officially ln return for the removal of Ol1'rnpicterminology from their events,he referredtoas ParalympicsUKlg,4-thefrst A poster the third Winter Games,qt Innsbruch,used added that he was willing to offer the disabled sports movement both associatedwith the Games. Jor nngs (at the top) and a'brohen' Paralympicversion of the nngs IOC patronageand financial assistance.aeA major result of this meeting both the Olympic was an agreementby the IOC that a demonstrationdisabled skiing event below\anBrittain). 34 Benchmark Games winter gamessince then. A strong co-opera[iveworking relationshipnow existsbetween the rwo movements(see chapter t2), which I am certain would make the founder of the Intemarional stoke Mander,elleGames a very happy and proud man.

Conclusion

It is abundantly clear that Guttmann wenr our of his way from the outset to draw clear links and parallelsberween his fiedging disabliity spoils movement and the olympic Games.He was more than willing to claim the high moral ground, asserring,as he did in rhe mid-1970s, that the disabledgames were the real Oli.'mpicsbecause they adhered more closelyto the ideals of the founder pierre de Coubertin. To link disabledsport with the ol1'rnpic Gameswas a shrewd tacticwhich also gavedisabled athletes a greatersense of purposeand self-worth.It also seemslikely that Gutmann envisageda cioserelationship between the disabledand the olpnpic Games,in one form or another.He advocated a place for athleteswith a disability in the olympic Gamesas early as 1957. Guttmann succeededadmirably in realisinghis aims. while the groundwork for a closeassociarion was laid by 1980, the two festivals have moved even closer since his death. Guttmann'sview has been vindicatedin that the olympic associarlonhas enhanced rhe festival. It is also interestingro note the changrngmeaning ancl connotation of the term Paralympicover time and the poiitics, issuesand personaiities involvedin its evoiutionand eventualacceptance. It hasgone from denotmg simply an annuaiparaplegic spoils competitionto denotingan intemational quadrennialone and to eventuallybecoming q,rnonyrnous with the largest multi-disabllity sports event and secondlargesr sports event of its kind in the world today The meaningof Paral1'mpicalso changed from paraplegic - Olynpic to a parallelevent to the O11.rnpicGames. Ii seemsless ciearwhy the olFnpic movementaccepted the relationship with the ParalFnpicmovement. There was someobvious reluctancein the 1970s to extend ol;,mpic branding to rhis parallel event. one suspecrs, ultimately that the decisionmay have been influenced by rwo facrors.By supporting the Paral)rmpics,the IOC enhancedirs moral leadershipof the intemational sports community The paral)nnpicsalso bolstered the Oly'rnpicideologz of Ol1,r-npism,with its emphasison non-discriminarion and accessibilityof all ro sportsparticipation.