In a podcast with para-swimmer Loizos Chrysanthou, MEP Phidias Panayiotou interrupted a talk about Paralympic categories. He asked if the S-14 category was for ‘the fools.’ This was said while the athlete explained that this category is for people with intellectual disabilities.
Loizos Chrysanthou reacted right away. He looked uncomfortable and quickly corrected him. He made it clear that the S-14 category is for people with intellectual disabilities and stressed that they are ‘not fools.’ He also shared that an athlete in this category is a close friend of his.
This issue goes beyond just a word. It’s about the meaning behind it. Terms like this have been used for years to shame and isolate people who already face challenges. When public figures use them, it keeps this harmful idea alive. People with intellectual disabilities are not jokes or stereotypes. They are individuals who work hard, achieve great things, and deserve respect. The Paralympic Games are not a ‘special category’ for pity but a showcase of dedication, discipline, and top-level sports.
