COUNTRIES SPLIT OVER ROLE OF PARALYMPIC GAMES

 

    Canberra, Oct. 17 (CNA) A split into two camps has occurred among
the  nations  participating  in  the Paralympics over the role of the
international  sporting event, according to the Australian Paralympic
Committee.
    The  United  States,  Australia,  Britain, and a handful of other
countries  approach the Paralympics as an elite sporting event with a
focus  on  winning  medals,  while  the  rest  of  the countries with
participating  athletes  view  it as a kind of rehabilitation project
for disabled individuals, said APC chief executive Brendan Flynn.
    The different attitudes to the sporting event may create problems
for  the  future  of  the Paralympic Games if some countries are left
behind on the playing field, he said.
    Flynn  noted  that  Australia  would  make  moves towards greater
integration  of  disabled  and able-bodied sports to bring all sports
under a stronger and more centralized administration.
(By Peter Chen)
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