No 2018 repeat: Paralympics will not share spotlight in Brisbane 2032

The International Paralympic Committee has no intention of following the Commonwealth Games’ lead and combining with the Olympics, the head of the organisation insisted as he visited 2032 host city Brisbane on Wednesday.

Para sports were held alongside able-bodied sports at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, the previous major multi-sport event held in south-east Queensland, meaning spectators saw both competitions with a single ticket.

It was lauded at the time, but IPC president Andrew Parsons said it was important the Paralympic Games remained a totally separate event to the Olympics.

International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons in Brisbane on Wednesday.Credit: Lyndon Mechielsen

“The Paralympic Games is the only event of global impact that puts persons with disabilities centre-stage,” he said.

“You think sport, in art and culture, in politics, economics, any type of event – the Paralympic Games is the only one. So we cannot change, we cannot lose that platform.

“We have to have that platform so we can advance the agenda of persons with disability.”

Australia’s Kurt Fearnley leading the field at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. Para sports were held concurrently with able-bodied sports in 2018.Credit: Jason O'Brien/Getty Images

Central to that agenda, Parsons said, was accessibility, and while Brisbane was already out of the blocks on that front, the 2032 host city still had some way to go – as did “every city in the world”.

“We had the example of Tokyo, where 70 per cent of their transport system was accessible – even before the bid – and they went the extra mile,” he said.

“Now, 100 per cent of the metro system is accessible there.

“I think [Brisbane is] starting from a position of strength, definitely, in terms of accessibility and the position of Paralympic sport here, but you can always improve.

“We cannot be satisfied until we have 100 per cent of everything accessible, and I’m absolutely sure that this is the objective here.”

With Victoria Park, the National Aquatic Centre, and the privately built Brisbane Arena – which organisers hope will feature as a Games venue – Parsons said disabilities had to be front of mind in their design.

“Everything needs to be built with accessibility in mind from day one – and we talk about sporting venues, buildings, public facilities, everything needs to be built with access … for everyone in society. That’s why we call it universal design.”

Australian Paralympic wheelchair basketballer Bridie Kean, who won silver at London 2012, said accessibility and inclusion were areas in which “we can always do better”.

“We’re never going to reach the perfect answer. So it’s the will of everyone in Queensland – not one organisation, but everyone – to want a truly inclusive society.

“Using Brisbane [2032] as a catalyst to do that will see all our spaces become more and more inclusive of more people.”

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