About this Book

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.