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Disability Inclusion, Olympism and Human Rights
Disability Inclusion, Olympism and Human Rights
Principle 4 of the Principles of Olympism in the Olympic Charter states, “The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practising sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarityand fair play” (IOC, 2019, p. 12). The term “Every individual” includes all individuals – both those with and without disabilities – within the Olympic Movement.Athletes, coaches, managers, officials and administrators with visible or invisible disabilities need to be present, visible and appropriately represented. Individuals with disabilities associated with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), Special Olympics International (SOI) and the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD) fall under this umbrella term “Every individual” as well. Since these three organizations are officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), they are part of the overall Olympic Movement.When discussing sport and human rights, it is worth noting that the IOC has an ongoing sanctioned partnership and was officially granted observer status with the United Nations (UN) in 2009 (IOC, 2009). As part of its greater involvement in promoting human rights worldwide, the UN works to support the alignment of its principles and conventions with human rights principles as presented in the Olympic Charter. For example, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) ratified in 2008 includes Article 30.5 that reinforces the right to sport and physical activity for people with disabilities. The IOC – UN relationship, in conjunction with Article 30.5 of the CRPD, reaffirms that disability inclusion is consistent with the spirit of Olympism and aligns seamlessly with fundamental tenets of the Olympic Movement.So, how can disability become more present, visible and appropriately represented within the Olympic Movement? Principle 6 of the Principlesof Olympism in the Olympic Charter states that the “Olympic Charter shall be secured without discrimination of any kind, such as race, color, sex, sexual orientation, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status” (IOC, 2019, p. 12). The reference to “or other status” can certainly be interpreted to mean including individuals with disabilities. It is important to consider, however, the need for a more specific and direct inclusion of the word “disability” in Principle 6 to reinforce the definition of “without discrimination of any kind.” Including the word disability also clearly aligns the language of the Olympic Charter with Article 30.5 of the CRPD and its advocacy stance for individuals with disabilities. The words that we use shape the image of the world in which we live and the codification of the word disability into Principle 6 would be powerful in its presence.The Principles of Olympism also refer to inclusivity in Principle 1 which states “Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy of effort, the educational value of good example, social responsibility and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles” (IOC, 2019, p. 12). According to the IOC Code of Ethics, Article 1.4, universal fundamental ethical principles include: Respect for international conventions on protecting human rights insofar as they apply to the Olympic Games’ activities and which ensure in particular:– respect for human dignity;– rejection of discrimination of any kind on whatever grounds, be it race, color, sex, sexual orientation, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status;– rejection of all forms of harassment and abuse, be it physical, professional or sexual, and any physical or mental injuries (IOC, 2018, p. 13).Given this language, disability inclusion is essential for respect for the CRPD, respect for “human dignity,” and “rejection of discrimination” within theOlympic Games and the Olympic Movement. Perhaps in the near future, “disability” can also be officially added to Article 1.4 of the IOC Code of Ethics.Even when one starts with the premise that disability is part of the fabric of the spirit of Olympism, more still needs to be done to further publicly advance disability inclusion within the Olympic Movement.The visibility of disability as a topic within Olympism needs to become an area of priority and focus within the Olympic Movement similar to what occurred with other previously marginalized groups such as women, refugees, certain racial minorities, nationalities or religions and members of the LGBTQ community. The work cannot be simply internally focused, however, and needs to be extended to advance the engagement and relationships between the IOC and sport governing bodies such as the IPC, SOI and ICSD.Similar to Olympism, human rights are inclusive and can allow the Olympic Movement to break down stigma, fear and isolation of disability. Human rights within Olympism and the Olympic Movement applies to “everyone” and “everyone” includes persons with and without disabilities. In fact, failing to recognize the place of disability within the realms of Olympism and human rights means the Movement needs to think more expansively about its sport to promote “a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity” (IOC, 2019, p. 12).To the authors of this article, that quote sounds a lot like a commitment to human rights for all, including people with disabilities. ReferencesIOC. (2019). Olympic charter. Lausanne, SUI: Author.IOC. (2009, October 19). IOC becomes an observer. Retrieved from https://www.olympic.org/news/ioc-becomes-un-observerIOC. (2018). Code of ethics. Lausanne, SUI: Author.
“The IOC – UN relationship, in conjunction with Article 30.5 of the CRPD, reaffirms that disability inclusion is consistent with the spirit of Olympism.”