Abstract
This chapter highlights the issues that arose at the Rio 2016 Paralympics Games, the impact of the ever worsening economic and political situation within Brazil upon the planning and organisational decisions made by the Rio Organising Committee and how these appeared to prioritise the Olympic Games over the Paralympic Games. The chapter also highlights how these events and other outside issues such as the Russian doping scandal may have impacted upon the IPC–IOC relationship and how the massively skewed power relationship between the two organisations may mean that the Olympic Games will always take precedence over the Paralympic Games in the planning and organisational decisions made by host cities.
Notes
- 1.
It is a common misconception that people with disabilities are asexual or are unable to have sex. For further detail and other myths and misconceptions regarding people with disabilities and sexuality, see University of Illinois (n.d.).
- 2.
Despite the cited IPC webpage claiming that 159 nations plus the Independent Paralympic Athletes attended the Rio Paralympic Games a further IPC webpage giving a full breakdown of competitor numbers for each NPC in Rio only lists 157 nations plus the Independent Paralympic Athletes . This highlights the current difficulties of obtaining accurate information regarding the Paralympic Games and the need to check data thoroughly before citing it.
References
Allen, K. 2016. Brazil’s Economy Slumps to a 25-year Low. The Guardian, March 3. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/mar/03/brazil-economy-low-oil-prices-inflation
BBC Website. 2014. Russian Doping Claims: 99% of Athletes Guilty, German TV Alleges, December 4. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/30324812
———. 2016. Rio 2016 Olympics: Russians ‘Have Cleanest Team’ as 271 Athletes Cleared to Compete, August 5. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/36970627
Bowater, D., and P. Moraes. 2016. Life Is Extremely Difficult for Disabled People in Rio. Telegraph, September 5. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/paralympic-sport/2016/09/05/rio-paralympics-2016-life-is-extremely-difficult-for-disabled-pe/
Braathen, E., C. Sørbøe, and G. Mascarenhas. 2014. BRICS, Mega-Sport Events and Rio de Janeiro as a “City of Exception”. Tensões Mundiais 10 (18/19): 325–360.
Brazil2016 Official Federal Government Portal. 2016. Brazil Medals Plan, August 5. http://www.brasil2016.gov.br/en/incentives/plano-brasil-medalhas
Brittain, I. 2016. The Paralympic Games Explained. 2nd ed. London: Routledge.
Brittain, I., and A. Beacom. 2016. Leveraging the London 2012 Paralympic Games: What Legacy for Disabled People? Journal of Sport and Social Issues 40 (6): 499–521.
Brocchetto, M., J. Moon, and S. Beech. 2016. Olympics: Out with the Green Water, in with the Blue. CNN, August 14. http://edition.cnn.com/2016/08/14/sport/olympics-green-pool/
Burne James, S. 2016. IOC ‘looks Weak’ while Paralympics Will Win Public Support with Russia Ban Decision. PR Week, August 8. http://www.prweek.com/article/1404937/ioc-looks-weak-paralympics-will-win-public-support-russia-ban-decision
Butler, N. 2016a. Bach Ignores Paralympics in Closing Ceremony Speech. Inside The Games, August 21. http://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1040863/updates/19923
———. 2016b. IPC Warn Tokyo 2020 to “Realise Full Potential” of Paralympics Earlier than Rio 2016 Did. Inside the Games, November 30. http://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1044223/ipc-warn-tokyo-2020-to-realise-full-potential-of-paralympics-earlier-than-rio-2016-did
CDC. 2016. About Zika. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/zika/about/
Davies, W. 2015. Rio 2016: 30% Cutback on Games Budget to Avoid Overspend. BBC Sport, October 5. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/34450535
Disabled World. 2016. Disability News: Synopsis—Brazil. Disabled World, March 5. http://www.disabled-world.com/news/south-america/
Dotson, L.A., J. Stinson, and L. Christian. 2003. People Tell Me I Can’t Have Sex: Women with Disabilities Share Their Personal Perspectives on Health Care, Sexuality, and Reproductive Rights Pages. Women and Therapy 26 (3–4): 195–209.
Downie, A. 2016. IOC President Bach to Skip Paralympic Games. Reuters, September 7. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-paralympics-rio-bach-idUSKCN11D2DB
Dunlap, T. 2016. Everything You Need to Know About the Athletes Skipping the Rio Olympics – and How Participants Are Addressing Zika Fears. People, July 1. http://people.com/sports/rio-2016-all-the-athletes-skipping-the-olympics-addressing-zika-fears/
Etchells, D. 2016. IPC President Thanks Supporters of #FillTheSeats Campaign on Back of Rio 2016 Paralympics. Inside the Games, September 20. http://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1041846/ipc-president-thanks-supporters-of-filltheseats-campaign-on-back-of-rio-2016-paralympics
Fox, N. 2015. What’s Life Like in Rio de Janeiro with a Disability? BBC News, October 10. http://www.bbc.com/news/disability-34469395
Garcia-Navarro, L. 2015. On a Scale of 1 to 10, Brazil Gets a Zero for Disability Access. http://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2015/04/08/398123572/on-a-scale-of-1-to-10-brazil-gets-a-zero-for-disability-access
Gibson, O. 2016a. Paralympic Games: Countries Still Waiting for Vital Travel Grants. The Guardian, August 14. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/aug/14/paralympic-committee-to-hold-budget-crisis-talks-with-brazil
Gibson, S. 2016b. Rio Olympic Diving Pool Closed After Water Turns Green. Telegraph, August 9. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/olympics/2016/08/09/rio-olympics-2016-green-diving-pool-alarms-spectators/
Gilbert, J. 2016. Can Paralympics Advance Disability Rights in Brazil? http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Americas/2016/0906/Can-Paralympics-advance-disability-rights-in-Brazil
Green, J.T. 2016. Vogue Brasil’s Digitally Altered Images Sent the Wrong Message about Disability. http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/vogue-brasils-digitally-altered-images-sent-the-wrong-message-about-disability-a7213041.html
Hakim, P. 2016. Here’s What Really Went Wrong with Brazil’s Economy. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-latinamerica-brazil-economy-commentar-idUSKCN0YH08D
Hale, L. 2016. Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Rio 2016 Says Complain to the IPC. http://www.parasport-news.com/organizing-committee-for-the-olympic-and-paralympic-games-rio-2016-says-complain-to-the-ipc/11089/
IOC. 2016. Decision of the IOC Executive Board Concerning the Participation of Russian Athletes in the Olympic Games Rio 2016. https://www.olympic.org/news/decision-of-the-ioc-executive-board-concerning-the-participation-of-russian-athletes-in-the-olympic-games-rio-2016
IPC. 2016a. The IPC Suspends the Russian Paralympic Committee with Immediate Effect. https://www.paralympic.org/news/ipc-suspends-russian-paralympic-committee-immediate-effect
———. 2016b. The Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. https://www.paralympic.org/rio-2016
———. 2016c. The IPC and Rio 2016 Back Public Led #FillTheSeats Campaign for Rio 2016 Paralympics. https://www.paralympic.org/news/ipc-and-rio-2016-back-public-led-filltheseats-campaign-rio-2016-paralympics
———. 2016d. Rio 2016 Paralympic Games Debrief Concludes in Tokyo. https://www.paralympic.org/news/rio-2016-paralympic-games-debrief-concludes-tokyo
Kelner, M. 2016. Big Blow for Rio Paralympic Games with Major Budget Cuts to Venues, Workforce and Transport. Mail Online, August 19. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-3749275/Rio-Paralympic-Games-ahead-month-major-budget-cuts-venues-workforce-transport.html
Khan, S. 2016. Rio 2016: Hosts ‘Spend Money Meant for the Paralympics on Olympics. Independent, August 16. http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/news/rio-2016-paralympics-olympics-money-organisers-spent-a7193486.html
Leahy, J. 2016. What Is the Petrobras Scandal that Is Engulfing Brazil? Financial Times, March 31. https://www.ft.com/content/6e8b0e28-f728-11e5-803c-d27c7117d132
Miller, S. 2016. Blocked Toilets, no Power and Water Leaking Through the Light Fittings: Australian Olympic Team Refuses to Move into Rio’s ‘Unliveable’ Athletes’ Village. Mail Online, 24 July. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3705721/Athletes-village-Rio-Olympics-unliveable-just-two-weeks-opening-ceremony-blocked-toilets-leaking-pipes-unlit-stairwells.html
Morgan, J. 2015. Rio 2016 Announce Series of Savings to Appease Brazilian Public Amid Financial Crisis. Inside the Games, October 6. http://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1030731/rio-2016-announce-series-of-savings-to-appease-brazilian-public-amid-financial-crisis
Morley, N. 2016. British Paralympian Launches Crowdfunding Page to Get Her Event Televised. Metro, August 21. http://metro.co.uk/2016/08/21/british-paralympian-launches-crowdfunding-page-to-get-her-event-televised-6082150/
Mundoconectado Website. 2015. Movimento pede fim de “privilégios” para deficientes e causa revolta na web (Movement Calls for an End to “Privileges” for the Disabled and Causes Insurgency on the Web). http://mundoconectado.net/noticias/movimento-pede-fim-de-privilegios-para-deficientes-e-causa-revolta-na-web/
Newell, S. 2016. IOC President Won’t Attend Any of the Paralympics. Vice Sports, September 7. https://sports.vice.com/en_us/highlight/ioc-president-wont-attend-any-of-the-paralympics
NHS. 2016. Zika Virus. NHS Choices. http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/zika-virus/Pages/Introduction.aspx
Palazzo, C. 2016. Rio Olympics: Which Athletes Have Withdrawn Over Zika Fears? The Telegraph, August 4. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/0/rio-olympics-which-athletes-have-withdrawn-over-zika-fears/
Palmer, D. 2016. Craven Says Rio Paralympics Success Is “Vital”. Inside The Games, January 2. http://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1032911/craven-says-rio-paralympics-success-is-vital
Parker, N. 2016. Olympics under Threat Rio 2016 Faces Economic Meltdown, Building Delays, Ticket Sale Slumps, Pollution and a Zika Epidemic. The Sun, June 11. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/1202664/rio-2016-faces-economic-meltdown-building-delays-ticket-sale-slumps-pollution-and-a-zika-epidemic/
Pinshaw, A. 2016. Rio Olympics 2016: Several Nations May Miss Paralympics Due to Organising Committee Financial Woes. Fox Sports, August 15. http://www.foxsports.com.au/olympics/rio-olympics-2016-several-nations-may-miss-paralympics-due-to-organising-committee-financial-woes/news-story/c017786873407853ae9b956e62139442
Pring, J. 2016. Rio Paralympics Scraps Plans to Expand Number of Sports Covered Live. Disability News Service, July 14. http://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/rio-paralympics-scraps-plans-to-expand-number-of-sports-covered-live/
Rio 2016 Website. 2016a. Rio 2016 Candidature File, vol. 2, p. 169. http://www.rio2016.com/en/organising-committee/transparency/documents
———. 2016b. New Record for Rio 2016: 133,000 Tickets for Paralympic Games Sold in Just One Day. https://www.rio2016.com/en/paralympics/news/new-record-for-rio-2016-133-000-tickets-for-paralympic-games-sold-in-just-one-day
Rossi, C. 2013. Apoio e resistência popular à realização de megaeventos: algumas lições para o Brasil (Support and Popular Resistance to the Achievement of Mega-Events: Some Lessons for Brazil). Repositorio Digital FGV, August 26. http://bibliotecadigital.fgv.br/dspace/handle/10438/11190
Ruiz, R.R., and M. Schwirtz. 2016. Russian Insider Says State-Run Doping Fueled Olympic Gold. New York Times, May 13. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/13/sports/russia-doping-sochi-olympics-2014.html?_r=0
Rumsby, B. 2016. Paralympics in Crisis after Rio Runs Out of Money for Games. The Telegraph, August 19. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/olympics/2016/08/19/paralympics-in-crisis-after-rio-runs-out-of-money-for-games/
Saad, C. 2016. Cost of Rio’s 2016 Olympics Rises by Almost $100 Million. Reuters, January 29. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-olympics-rio-cost-idUSKCN0V726H
Slater, M. 2016. Paralympic Games Funding Injunction for Rio 2016 Lifted after Situation in Brazil Had Become ‘Precarious’. Mail Online, August 18. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-3745843/Rio-2016-committee-sees-Paralympic-funding-injunction-lifted-situation-precarious.html
Steinberg, J. 2016. Rio 2016 Is the Second-most Attended Paralympic Games in History. The Guardian, September 10. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/sep/10/rio-2016-paralympic-games-ticket-sales-rise
Tett G. 2010. The Story of the Brics. Financial Times. https://www.ft.com/content/112ca932-00ab-11df-ae8d-00144feabdc0
UNDP. 2015. Human Development Report 2015. http://report.hdr.undp.org/
University of Illinois. n.d. Myths and Misperceptions of Disability and Sexuality. http://ahs.uic.edu/media/uicedu/ahs/documents/dhd/sdc/MythsAndMisperceptions.pdf
WADA. 2015. Independent Commission Report #1. https://www.wada-ama.org/en/resources/world-anti-doping-program/independent-commission-report-1
———. 2016a. McLaren Independent Investigations Report into Sochi Allegations. https://www.wada-ama.org/en/resources/doping-control-process/mclaren-independent-investigations-report-into-sochi-allegations
———. 2016b. WADA Statement: Independent Investigation Confirms Russian State Manipulation of the Doping Control Process. https://www.wada-ama.org/en/media/news/2016-07/wada-statement-independent-investigation-confirms-russian-state-manipulation-of
World Bank. 2016. Gross Domestic Product 2015. http://data.worldbank.org/data-catalog/GDP-ranking-table
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Copyright information
© 2018 The Author(s)
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Brittain, I., Mataruna Dos Santos, L.J. (2018). The Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. In: Brittain, I., Beacom, A. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of Paralympic Studies. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-47901-3_24
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-47901-3_24
Published:
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-137-47900-6
Online ISBN: 978-1-137-47901-3
eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)