Referring to the Special Olympics in his article headed Disabled Children Must Face Failure The Advice Box E&L October 21st last), Dr Mark Harrold says that the organisation "denies disabled children the essential life experiences of overcoming failure". He points out that "everyone receives a medal regardless of where the person comes in".
This is entirely incorrect and does a great disservice to the Special Olympics. Indeed, the Special Olympics seeks to provide those very life experiences to which Dr Harrold refers.
There is a common misconception, which Dr Harrold seems to share, that the Special Olympics is all about competition. The core of the Special Olympics' programme is training first and competition second. Throughout the country, 12,000 children and adults with a learning disability train under the guidance of qualified Special Olympics' coaches. They experience success and failure in their training just as their able-bodied colleagues do.
Some qualify to take part in local, regional, national and international competition. There are winners and losers right up through the structure as with any sports organisation. Only the lucky few will make it all the way to national and international competition.
The Special Olympics has a set of sports rules to govern its competitions based on the respective international governing body rules. Where appropriate, modifications have been made to allow athletes understand the rules and compete within them. Special athletes must abide by these rules and where they don't they are disqualified as with any other sports organisation.
The Special Olympics defines winning as achieving and this philosophy is reinforced through educational programmes for coaches and by recognising all participants at events. At the Special Olympics, all competing athletes can be seen on the awards stands getting a medal or ribbon - athletes who achieve first, second or third place get a medal, while those who achieve fourth through eighth place get a place ribbon acknowledging their achievement. This is entirely different to everyone getting a medal regardless of where the person came in, as Dr Harrold claims.
What is unique to the Special Olympics is its system of divisioning, used at all games and competitions. Divisioning is the process for placing athletes or teams in competition groups in which they can compete against other individuals or teams of about the same ability. The point is that the Special Olympics provides sports opportunities for people with a learning disability at all levels of abilities and not just for those people competing at an elite level.
THE Special Olympics movement may be a sports organisation for people with a learning disability, it is also much more than that. Through sports training and competition, the Special Olympics makes an impact on many aspects of an athlete's life. A 1995 Yale University study has proved scientifically the following benefits from involvement in Special Olympics programmes
Greater self-confidence and social abilities in daily life.
Better readiness for employment.
Better preparation for independent living.
Increased ability to make personal decisions.
Improved friendships and family relationships.
The Special Olympics offers a wide range of opportunities through sport to ensure that the person with a learning disability can experience the many aspects of life which are so necessary to develop a wellrounded person, capable of taking their rightful place in society alongside their peers.
The student body at Cork RTC is almost 10,000, 4,500 ofwhom are full-time.The total student population in Cork city is 20,000. EDUCATION & LIVING
Editor: Ella Shanahan Production: Hugh Lambert and Harry Browne Main cover illustration: Kevin McSherry Small cover illustrations: Cathy Dineen Email: education@irish-times.ie
