In Australia, Paralympians have been accused of exaggerating their disabilities to win more medals

It’s a scandal making noise in Australia. Second’Australian broadcasting company (ABC) Australia’s national public media, Paralympic athletes have been deliberately exaggerating their disabilities for several years in a bid to win more medals, reveals investigative antenna Four corners.

Speaking publicly about the scandal for the first time, former International Paralympic Committee (IPC) leader from 2004 to 2019, Xavier Gonzalez said: “I can’t say it doesn’t exist. It does. »

A distorted classification system

Concretely, to participate in the Paralympic Games, a classification system aims to standardize the rules for athletes with different disabilities. Athletes are evaluated and divided into classes, according to how their impairment affects their performance. However, there may be benefits for athletes with disabilities who are considered “i lighter physically.

Facts that the investigation demonstrates by citing the example of Stuart Jones, a cyclist who represented Australia at the Tokyo Games in 2021. After undergoing spinal cord surgery in 2014, he may never have been able to walk again. Second ABC, was finally able to get back on a two-wheeled bike as part of his workouts, without ever warning him. An advantage over his colleagues. Because only athletes who can race on at least three wheels, no less, should be admitted to Paralympic races.

“Not just in Australia, but all over the world”

” There are still athletes right now who misrepresent their abilities, not just in Australia, but around the world.”said Jane Buckley, former classifier and medical director of the Australian Paralympic team.

But according to Xavier Gonzalez, former leader of the International Paralympic Committee, it is difficult to reform the classification system due to lack of resources. He calls for this rating system to be removed from the organization.