Andrew Douglass’ Post

Having called Fortnum & Mason out for not including Paralympians in their reception yesterday, it is only fair that I also say they have issued an apology. But you know, even that lacks something I would expect of a leading legacy premium brand. Firstly - human touch. Named person says sorry on behalf of F&M. Admission they got it wrong. A little humility. Because this is not a failure of communication. It is a failure to be person-centred. There are many ways that you can split Team GB if they don't all fit in a space - Track and Field/Other disciplines; Gold medallists/other podiums; first timers/veterans team members. Or, partner with a brand of similar standing, and hold twin events with everyone getting the same goodie bag. It's really obvious that in the early planning, no one asked "How can we take this opportunity to show everyone - Team GB and F&M - on their best day? Because the sad thing is, our Paralympians have been othered all their lives. They have been excluded from things because of their disabilities all their lives. And even as high achieving, elite sportspersons representing their country and bringing home medals, they have been othered and excluded.

Paralympians are for life, not just for the Paralympics “It doesn’t end here, we have World and European Championships year on year, it’s not a four-year gap for us. Find your favourite athletes online, give them a follow, go and support them because this is what we live for." This from GB's Hannah Cockroft OBE, PLY, DL after another dominant performance in the T34 800m final in Paris, her 9th Paralympic Gold! 🥇 I can't help keep dipping back into the Paralympics and reliving some of the incredible moments. There are some brilliant reviews out there too, from well placed folks with a license to comment with experience. So by way of a Paralympic review hit this link https://lnkd.in/evFHeqdB to check out some of the campaigns that encircled Paris 2024, demanding improvement for equality. Including... Considering What I won't be Participating in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Equipped for Equality Jonny Peacocks call for event inclusion in the Diamond League Equal Play Channel 4 International Paralympic Committee World Health Organization #consideringwhat #equippedforequality #equalplay #righttoplay #at #assistivetechnology #unlocktheeveryday #paralympics #sport #paris2024 #disability #rights #inclusion #equality #campaign #change #who The image shows four billboards from Channel 4 GB, the Paralympic broadcaster. It shows athletes competing in their chosen sports, including… Fencing with the words “that’s amazing” and the word “considering” stuck through by the fencers’ weapons as they parry. In powerlifting, a competitor lifts a bar with heavy weights; the words “he’s so strong” are above the bar, and the words “for someone so small” are obscured by the bar. Rugby: Two players collide in their wheelchairs. The words “What a Tackle” and “given his condition” are blurred through the marks made by the wheels. Racing: Athletes are a blur as they whiz by in their racing wheelchairs. “She’s incredibly fast” is shown with “for someone in a wheelchair”, blurred out by their vapour trail.

Boria Majumdar in Paris We started planning for the Olympics and Paralympics in late 2022. Budgets, travel plans, hotels and, more importantly, whether it was even feasible for an organisation that was just a year old (then) to think of taking a six or seven-member team to the Olympics and the Paralympics for 50-plus days. Paris is expensive, and money was always an important consideration. The truth is it sounded impossible to start with. But then, we started breaking things down, worked our way round the maze and realised that if we had to do quality coverage of a very different nature, we needed a sizeable team in Paris. And not just for the Olympic Games, but the Paralympics as well. For us, both were events of equal importance that defined us as a team. At no point did we think that we’d cover the Olympics and go back. The idea was always to stay on and follow our Olympics coverage with some strong work at the Paralympics. Read: https://lnkd.in/g2-SFrhB Boria Majumdar

🥇 Alexa Leary's Incredible Journey to Paralympic Gold 🥇 Just over two years ago, against the gritty backdrop of a near-death experience, Alexa Leary's future in sports was a cloudy horizon. Fast forward to the 2024 Paris Paralympics, and she has not only faced adversity but triumphed in the most spectacular way imaginable. Leading Australia to a golden victory in the relay, Leary's story is not just about athleticism; it's about the indomitable human spirit. This victory was more than a medal—it was a personal redemption, a reaffirmation of her unyielding resilience and dedication. 🌟 From the brink to the podium, her journey resonates as a beacon of hope and determination. It’s a vivid reminder that the toughest battles often lead to the greatest triumphs. 💬 Have you ever faced a moment where everything seemed against you, yet you found the strength to overcome it? Share your stories of resilience in the comments below! 📌 Let Alexa Leary's story inspire us all to never give up, no matter how insurmountable the obstacles might seem. #Paralympics #Resilience #OvercomingAdversity #Inspirational #Australia #GoldMedal #Paris2024 🇦🇺✨ Discover more tips, insights, and resources by visiting our site at https://lnkd.in/gE7yw4xw

My first article with Gamamari is live! ⭐️ It was announced this year that Australian Paralympians will receive the same medal incentive payments as their Olympian counterparts. While this is a step in the right direction, we still have a long way to go when it comes to recognising Paralympians for what they are: elite athletes. Read my thoughts below.

🏅After finishing second in the medal table with 124, how have Team GB seen such great Paralympic success? 🇬🇧 The 2024 Paris Paralympic Games marked one of Team GB’s most successful performances in the history of the competition. China finished with 220 medals (94 gold). Team GB finished far ahead of Team USA, and neither team was anywhere near the top of the Paralympic table. 💸 Over the course of the Paris Cycle, UK Sport has invested £315 million ($415.24 million) of government and National Lottery funds across 53 Olympic and Paralympic Sports. 🔑Investment is key - as has been evident from China and GB’s success. 🇺🇸 Will the LA 2028 Paralympic’s see China’s global dominance ended?

Blindly following rules is crippling your organization. How do we start to go past rules and your staff just sticking to the word of the "law"? https://lnkd.in/g3GhpAqH 1. Start with why. If we can put all the rules we have on a whiteboard, do we see any underlying similarities between all of them? If we look at the way leaders run their teams, are there specific values that stand out? Consolidating all these values into a statement allows staff to start seeing the intent of the rules, and not just stop at rigidly executing instructions. 2. Give the staff boundaries. Instead of getting staff to ask for permission, tell them that everything within certain boundaries are allowed. This is challenging on 2 fronts. For staff that are not used to being given freedom to do what they want, it takes time, knowledge and practice for them to get used to this new found power and responsibility. For leaders, it can feel disorientating to delegate control and it is challenging to hold oneself back and letting the team member experiment and practice. 3. Be very clear on expectations. Start small, and set your team up for success. Then work your way up. Your team might just surprise you with the results. Delegating responsibility should come with a delegation of power, resources and the ability to use them. Consistently doing it over time is how you eventually have your team ready to take on greater responsibility and roles. If you could, what would you delegate tomorrow to your team and give them the freedom to execute and deliver?

Questioning the Disparity Between the Olympics and Paralympics? As a volunteer for both the Olympics and Paralympics, I've had the rare chance to see the inner workings of both events up close.  It’s troubling to witness the stark difference in budgets, services, and overall investment between the two, with the Paralympics receiving? less. Paralympic athletes have overcome tremendous challenges, surpassing physical and societal barriers to excel at the highest level of their sports. Despite these extraordinary accomplishments, the resources devoted to the Paralympics are not on the same scale as what is allocated to the Olympics. Why do those who have had to overcome so much receive so much less in return?  Shouldn't the Paralympics be supported and celebrated just as much, if not more, for the determination, resilience, and skill these athletes  display? Should we accept the Paralympics as a lesser counterpart to the Olympics simply because the investment is not on the same level? Or does this imbalance reveal a deeper issue in how we truly value the remarkable achievements of Paralympic athletes? #EqualSupport #Paralympics #Olympics #FairnessInSport #Inclusion #AthleteEquality #DisabilityRights #SportsForAll #ChampioningDiversity #OvercomingChallenges

What can others learn from Paralympian Curtis McGrath’s story of overcoming adversity? How can the Paralympics boost conversations — and action — around inclusion and diversity? Here are my thoughts. #LinkedInNewsAustralia Curtis McGrath's story is a powerful example of resilience, determination, and the ability to transform adversity into a source of strength. There are several key lessons that others can learn from his journey: McGrath's ability to recover from a life-altering injury and redirect his life towards a new goal is a testament to the power of #resilience. This demonstrates that adversity, while challenging, can be a catalyst for personal growth and new opportunities. For others facing difficulties, it’s a reminder that setbacks don’t define your future—how you respond to them does. McGrath highlights the importance of setting #goals that #challenge you. By setting ambitious targets, you push your boundaries and often #achieve more than you initially thought possible. This is crucial for anyone looking to overcome challenges—having clear, motivating goals gives you something to strive towards, even in the face of adversity. McGrath's journey also emphasizes the importance of #teamwork and the #support of others. Whether in sports or life, having a strong support system can provide the encouragement and resources needed to overcome tough situations. McGrath used sport as a way to heal both physically and mentally. Finding a #purpose or a passion can be a powerful way to channel energy positively and foster recovery. For others, this suggests that engaging in activities that bring fulfillment can aid in overcoming personal challenges. Overcoming Adversity? I tend to break down large, daunting challenges into smaller, manageable tasks. Celebrate each small victory, which builds momentum. I am not afraid to lean on others—whether friends, family, or colleagues. Their support can provide strength when yours is waning. I accept that life may not return to what it was before adversity, and instead focus on what you can control and improve in the new situation. The #Paralympics have the power to significantly boost conversations around #inclusion and #diversity. They showcase the incredible abilities and achievements of athletes with disabilities, challenging societal perceptions and biases. This visibility can lead to greater awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by people with disabilities, and in turn, inspire more inclusive practices in various spheres of life, including the workplace. By highlighting similar stories , the Paralympics can inspire broader societal change, encouraging businesses, communities, and individuals to prioritize inclusivity, create accessible environments, and celebrate diversity. These discussions can translate into tangible actions, such as better representation in media, improved accessibility standards, and inclusive policies in workplaces.

More than 1.75 million tickets have now been sold for the Paralympics, including more than 700,000 since the start of the Olympic Games. Key figures on ticket buyers for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games: ·      92% French buyers; ·      144 countries represented among ticket buyers; ·      Top 5 countries outside France: United Kingdom (27%), Germany (14%), United States (10%), Belgium (7%), Netherlands (5%); ·      Top 5 buyers in the region: Ile-de-France (73%), Hauts-de-France (3%), Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (3%), Pays de la Loire (2%), Normandy (2%) Previous Paralympic Games' spectators have mainly been from the domestic market. With Paris's proximity to many European countries, we will hopefully see many international visitors to the Paralympic Games.  One common misconception about the Paralympic Games is that more spectators with disabilities attend the Paralympics than the Olympics.  This is not the case. The main reason is the significantly higher volume of tickets sold for the Olympics (9 million for Paris 2024) compared to the Paralympics (3 million available).  One of the significant changes between the Olympic and Paralympic Games is the adaptation of operations to accommodate the high concentration of athletes with disabilities.   Transport is particularly impacted.  The period between the Olympic and Paralympic Games is known as the “Paralympic Transition” and a peak of activity for the Paris 2024 - Comité d'organisation des Jeux Olympiques et Paralympiques de 2024 and partners.  I was the team manager of the GB Wheelchair Basketball men’s team at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. We won the bronze medal.  The Beijing 2008 Games transformed the perception of disability in China.  I’m excited to see the world’s best Paralympic athletes compete in Paris next week. International Paralympic Committee ParalympicsGB