Paralympics – Articles, Analysis, Comment – The Conversation

Sam and the honest broker: why Commissioner Hayne wants mortgage brokers to charge fees

Kevin Davis, The University of Melbourne

There’s concern that paying upfront for the services of mortgage brokers would frighten customers away. But it needn’t, if they provide good service and explain what are charging for.

He can jump higher than most people without a disability. OIS

The Paralympics is changing the way people perceive disabilities

Marion Gray, University of the Sunshine Coast and Michele Verdonck, University of the Sunshine Coast

The success of para-athletes at the Paralympics is helping to change perceptions of those with disabilities.

Rio is an old city, with dense areas such as the Rocinha favela. Making it accessible is no small ask. Sean Fitzgerald Follow/Flickr

‘Grotesque spectacle’? Rio has a long way to go to become more accessible

Tracey J Dickson, University of Canberra; Jorge Knijnik, Western Sydney University, and Simon Darcy, University of Technology Sydney

There are significant challenges in making old cities like Rio more accessible, and there are missed opportunities around the Paralympics, but it’s not all bad news.

Paralympians like Brenden Hall can serve as role models and inspiration to young Australians. OIS

Paralympian role models: media hype, political rhetoric or the real deal?

Louise McCuaig, The University of Queensland

Can our Paralympians renew our faith in the idea of role models, which is often overburdened by hype, slogans and pampered sports stars?.

Technology makes an impact on various events, but the key is to let the athlete’s ability shine through. OIS

Technology matters in the Paralympics, but the athlete matters more

Ben Lucas, University of the Sunshine Coast

Technology has had a particularly visible impact on the Paralympics. But the the most important thing is to let the athlete’s ability come to the fore.

The author, Bridie Kean, at the London Paralympics in 2012. Australian Paralympic Committee

What comes after the Paralympics? How sport and study can enhance each other

Bridie Kean, University of the Sunshine Coast

Australian Paralympic athlete reflects upon how her experience as a student-athlete influenced a pilot program for Para-athletes to combine the pursuit of Paralympic success and study

This is the first year where the Paralympics has been broadcast on a commercial channel. Seven West Media

Into the spotlight: media coverage of the Paralympic Games has come a long way

Tony Naar, The University of Queensland

From a single volunteer with 8mm film to live broadcast on a commercial TV network, the media coverage of the Paralympic Games has come a long way since its inception.

The author competing at the 2012 London Paralympics. Australian Paralympic Committee

First person: how the Paralympics changed my life

Richard Nicholson, University of Canberra

Richard Nicholson has experienced first hand the evolution of the Paralympics, and with it, the shift in perception of disabilities and para-athletes.

How can we be sure athletes with varying disabilities are competing on even terms? Olympic Information Service

It’s not easy keeping the Paralympics a level playing field, but the current system is the best there is

Mark Connick, The University of Queensland; Emma Beckman, The University of Queensland, and Sean Tweedy, The University of Queensland

The classification system is what keeps the Paralympics fair. Although it’s not perfect, it’s the best system we have, and it’s continually being improved.

Coach John Triscari talks to the Australian Paralympic Wheelchair Basketball team during the Women’s Gold Medal Game at the London 2012 Paralympics. EPA/Daniel Karmann

Coaches are teachers of sport, but there’s a lot to learn from the classroom

Robert J Mason, The University of Melbourne

Coaches are sometimes thought of as ‘teachers’ of their sport. So what can coaches learn from the field of education?

The Tokyo games of 1964 represented the first use of the term ‘Paralympics’. Australian Paralympic Committee

A brief history of the Paralympic Games: from post-WWII rehabilitation to mega sport event

Simon Darcy, University of Technology Sydney and David Legg, Mount Royal University

The Paralympic Games started off as a way to motivate and rehabilitate returned servicemen and women after the second world war, and has evolved tremendously since then.

Many para-athletes have different degrees of disability. So how to level the playing field? Australian Paralympic Committee

Explainer: how the Paralympics classification system keeps things fair

Tony Naar, The University of Queensland

With so many athletes with different abilities and disabilities, the first challenge is to make sure there is fair play at the paralympics.

Australian skier Jessica Gallagher and guide Christian Geiger won bronze in the Women’s Visually Impaired Giant Slalom in Sochi. AAP/Sport the Library, Jeff Crow

Aussie Winter Paralympians in Sochi: a world away from 1976

Murray Phillips, The University of Queensland

Over the weekend, Australian Winter Paralympians broke their medal drought at Sochi to end the Games with two skiing bronze medals – one won by Toby Kane in Super Combined and the other by Jessica Gallagher…

The Winter Paralympic Games is chock full of the latest engineering and design, such as Austrian Claudia Loesch’s sit-ski sled. EPA/Julian Stratenschulte

A competitive edge: design and technology at the Paralympics

Keith Lyons, University of Canberra

Athletes competing at the Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi have varying levels of access to science, medicine, technology and engineering support from their national sporting organisations. As with the…

Austrian skier Roman Rabl competes in the men’s Super-G sitting race – but how is his performance rated against other competitors? EPA/Vassil Donev

Explainer: classification at the Winter Paralympics

Keith Lyons, University of Canberra

There are 72 medal events at the Sochi Paralympic Games. Athletes from 45 nations are competing in Alpine Skiing, Biathlon, Cross Country Skiing, Ice Sledge Hockey, and Wheelchair Curling. Para-snowboard…

It’s natural for athletes to experience some anxiety in the lead up to an event, but sports psychology can prevent it affecting their performance. porschelinn/Flickr

Chill out, cool down … athlete anxiety at the Winter Games

Lisa Martin, University of the Sunshine Coast

Whether an athlete is competing at the Olympics or Paralympics, anxiety management is one of the most common psychological issues experienced. Anxiety is an unpleasant emotion with distinctive features…

Veteran skier Cameron Rahles-Rahbula – also the Australian flag bearer for the 2014 Sochi Winter Paralympic Games opening ceremony – will compete in his fourth Paralympics. AAP Image/Sport the Library, Jeff Crow

Games on: preparing body and mind for the Winter Paralympics

Lisa Martin, University of the Sunshine Coast

The Winter Olympic Games has finished up in Sochi, but our Paralympic athletes are preparing themselves to compete in two of the six disciplines scheduled at the Winter Paralympic Games. So who are they…