Should the Olympics and Paralympics Be Combined?

What are the Arguments?

Proponents:

Combining the Olympics and Paralympics would allow athletes with disabilities to compete on a more level playing field. Many of the current accommodations in the Paralympics that athletes ask to be removed from the competition. They believe the one stadium should host all athletes and not divide them away from the Olympic athletes. Proponents also argue that it would increase the visibility of athletes with disabilities and help to break down stereotypes about them.

This is a key point to help the Paralympic athletes have a chance at competing with the Olympic athletes in their sport. Not all the Paralympic events take place during the Olympic Games so this would ensure every athlete gets a chance to compete on the same stage.

The Paralympics were created in 1960 as a way to provide athletes with disabilities with an opportunity to compete in sports. Since then, the Paralympics have grown into a major international event, and athletes with disabilities have achieved great success in these Games. However, the Paralympics are still not as well-known as the Olympics, and many people with disabilities still face discrimination and prejudice.

Opponents:

Opponents of combining the Olympics and Paralympics argue that it would be unfair to athletes with disabilities. They point out that athletes with disabilities have different physical abilities than athletes without disabilities, and that they would be at a disadvantage if they had to compete against each other.

Opponents also argue that combining the Olympics and Paralympics would be too expensive. They say that it would require major changes to the infrastructure of the Olympic Games, and that these changes would be too costly.

Finally, opponents argue that combining the Olympics and Paralympics would dilute the meaning of the Olympic Games. They say that the Olympics are a celebration of human achievement, and that combining them with the Paralympics would take away from the specialness of the Games.