The fact that one of us is a disabled athlete and an aspiring Paralympian means that disabled sports representation is extremely important to us. For that reason, the fact that people don’t even know the Paralympics exist or what they are is so disappointing. There is no greater stage for disabled sports than the Paralympics, when (theoretically) the whole world is watching.

   The Paralympic Games  are “parallel” to the Olympics, with events adapted for those with physical disabilities. This year the Paralympic Winter Games will run from March 4 – 13, and feature six sports with about 80 different events (paralympic.org).

   Paralympic Bronze Medalist Justin Phongsavanh remarked about what makes the Paralympic Games so special. “The only thing that separates the two are that the Paralympics are filled with people who had more challenges, struggles, and physical setbacks. When you watch the Paralympics you watch elite athletes overcome adversity, triumph over tragedy, and do it on the biggest stage in the world,” said Phongsavanh.

   During the 2012 London Paralympic Games, one of the greatest moments in Paralympic history occurred during the Men’s 100 meter dash. 19 year-old English Sprinter Jonnie Peacock, who lost his leg to meningitis, fought off then World Record Holder Oscar Pistorius en route to a new Paralympic record to win gold. That is only half the story, and becomes that much more incredible when you take a closer look. According to the Netflix Documentary about Paralympic athletes, Rising Phoenix, “Jonnie Peacock was running and 80,000 people in the Olympic stadium were screaming and cheering, not because they were seeing disabled people; they were shouting because they were seeing a great sporting event. That is what the Paralympics is all about,” said Fan Eva Loeffer, daughter of the Father of the Paralympic Games Sir Ludwig Guttman.

   It has not always been easy for the Paralympic Games over the years. According to the Wall Street Journal, in 2016, money set aside for the Paralympics in Rio was allegedly spent on the Olympics, leading to the Paralympics almost being canceled due to a lack of funding (wsj.com).

   Furthermore, television airtime for the Paralympics has always been significantly less than the Olympics, as one would expect. The 2022 Winter Paralympics are scheduled to get 120 television hours on the NBC family of networks. This is a record for the Paralympics; however, when you compare it to the fact that every Olympic event is available to watch on the NBC family of networks, Paralympic airtime seems very underrepresented (nbcsports.com).

   What can all of you do to support the Paralympics and adaptive athletics? The simple answer — watch the games. Sit down and watch the Paralympics on USA, NBC, the Olympic Channel, as well streaming on Peacock. Witness some amazing athletes and some events you will have to see to believe. The Paralympics is where the impossible is made possible every day.