The Paralympic Games: Empowerment or Side Show? (Disability & Sport)

This is an insightful and thought-provoking study into public and media perceptions of the Paralympic Games. Every four years, hundreds of disabled athletes from around the world gather together to compete in the largest sporting event of its kind - the Paralympic Games. Yet there is always one question which overshadows the Games - does the Paralympics empower individuals with disability, or is it simply a sop to the major Olympic event? Divided into five specific areas of study - Public and Media Perceptions; Inside the Paralympic Games; Olympics vs. Paralympics; Cultural Diversity; and, Future Directions - this thoroughly researched volume attempts to bring this discussion out into the open and, if not provide an answer, then to pave the way for future investigation that might.