Viewers of the official Paralympic Games promotional material have faced criticism for showing a lack of respect towards athletes, following controversial clips that emerged online amid the ongoing Games, Cape {town} Etc reports.
Also read: Meet the Paralympic Squad representing South Africa in Paris
The Paralympic Games’ social media platforms, such as TikTok and YouTube Shorts, have been criticised for using ‘meme’ sound effects in videos featuring athletes.
According to the Daily Mail, the four-person team behind the content, including three disabled members, faces accusations of disrespect but argues that their edgy approach is effectively increasing engagement.
One clip features a Paralympic swimmer hitting his head against the pool wall while swimming backwards.
@paralympicsIt’s all in the finish 💥♬ original sound – paralympics
Though this is a common practice to signal race completion, it may appear injurious to viewers.
The video is accompanied by a trivial sound effect: Dory’s ‘Just Keep Swimming’ from Finding Nemo.
Another video features an athlete in running blades competing in the long jump, paired with a ‘Family Guy’ meme sound of Peter Griffin singing a silly tune.
@paralympicsMe when I see the sofa ❤️♬ original sound – goldenbiscuit.tx
The caption reads: ‘Me when I see the sofa.’
The controversial Paralympic clips have gained 250 000 new followers in two weeks before the games, sparking mixed reactions.
While some viewers criticise the content as ‘bullying,’ others find it amusing.
The team behind the strategy, including three disabled members, aimed to provoke debate and boost engagement.
Speaking to Self, Craig Spence from the International Paralympic Committee acknowledged the content as ‘borderline’ but believes they’ve struck a ‘balance.’
‘We realised that our content had to be really edgy in order to get the engagement. Now you have a lot of people on there saying, ‘I don’t know whether I should laugh at this, and if I do laugh, do I go to hell’, Spence said.
However, critics remain steadfast in their outrage, condemning the clips as ‘insensitive’ and accusing the team of crossing the line with their strategy.
According to Mr. Spence, the formula for the videos was intended to provide a realistic take on parasports.
While he aimed for viewers to be amused with, rather than at, the athletes, this goal seems to have missed the mark for many spectators.
Despite criticism of the caricatured humour, Craig Spence insists the videos are both educational and attention-grabbing.
He assured that many are reviewed by the International Paralympic Committee team, 19% of whom have a disability.
Alison Kerry from Scope, a charity promoting disability equality, said: ‘Social media shorts with strange and inappropriate sound or voiceovers don’t seem to fit with the ethos of the event or show adequate respect for the athletes.
‘It’s worth noting that this is the international social media account and not ParalympicsGB, which has taken a different approach.
‘For two weeks, there’ll be more disabled people on our screens than at any other time, and we need to get how we represent disability and disabled competitors right.
‘The bigger picture is that it’s still far too difficult for disabled people to afford an equal standard of living, get around, and find and stay in work.
‘For the Paralympics to have a legacy beyond sport, everyone needs to improve understanding and attitudes towards disability.’
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Picture: Screenshot / Paralympics / Tiktok
