Stuart Braye

‘A mockery of equality’: an exploratory investigation into disabled activists’ views of the Paralympic Games

This article offers an exploratory analysis of the opinions of disabled activists towards the Paralympic Games. With the use of a qualitative online survey, the work focuses on the perceptions of disabled individuals (n = 32) who are not Paralympic athletes but are affiliated to the disability rights group, the United Kingdom Disabled People’s Council. Working on the premise that the views of disabled activists have been excluded from Paralympic sports discourse to date, the results illustrate a nuanced yet negative view of the Games to contrast with an existing, yet overly positive, academic narrative. Participants were particularly cynical of the portrayal and production of the Games and its Paralympic athletes as they perceived that the wider population of disabled people is misrepresented. The overwhelming perception in this preliminary analysis suggests that the Paralympic Games can be counterproductive to disability rights beyond sport.

'The way it was': an account of soccer violence in the 1980s

Causes of football hooliganism are still widely disputed by academics, and narrative accounts from reflective ex‐hooligans in the public domain are often sensationalized. The aims of this essay are to critically assess some of the main academic theories behind the causes of football hooliganism; and, to consider the value of gathering less sensationalistic in‐depth narrative accounts from reflective ex‐hooligans in order to further understanding. This has been achieved through presenting findings from a case study comprising interviews and a life testimony from an ex‐ football hooligan who has become an active member of a Christian church. The methodological value of narrative accounts from reflective ex‐hooligans is also discussed in relation to its validity, representation and its general appropriateness towards the study of football hooliganism. A case is made for sociologists to consider using in‐depth oral accounts from reflective ex‐hooligans in order to ensure theory reflects empirical evidence.

Meet My Exes: Theological Reflections on Disability and Paralympic Sport—A Continuum of Ephemeral Deaths and Eternal Resurrection

In a Christian context, the eternal change of identity from death to life through Jesus Christ becomes all-encompassing. Yet, other ephemeral identities also shape individuals. Using a range of theoretical ideas evident within disability studies and sports discourse, this essay attempts to contextualize and reflect upon the life of a disabled person who became a “born again” Christian in the aftermath (and amidst the tensions) of physical impairment. Reflections are provided on the interactions between the following identities: ex-solider (including Special Forces); ex-lorry driver; ex-nondisabled person; ex-Paralympic athlete (1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain); ex-sports development officer (for disabled people); disability activist; Christian; and academic. It is argued that the constructs of disability studies and disability sport need to be considered in terms of their relationship to the Christian faith. This area requires further research because within disability studies Christianity is largely ignored or placed in a historical context rather than explained as a current subjective experience (see Barnes & Mercer, 2011). In turn, disability sport discourse often either dismisses Christianity or contextualizes it historically rather than addressing its impact on the personal and the present (see Thomas, 2003).

‘I’m not an activist’: an exploratory investigation into retired British Paralympic athletes’ views on the relationship between the Paralympic games and disability equality in the United Kingdom

Abstract One claim of the UK Government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport is that the London 2012 Paralympic Games ‘improved attitudes to disability and provided new opportunities for disabled people to participate in society’. In addition, the International Paralympic Committee’s strategic plan suggests that the Paralympic Games is a vehicle for achieving ‘a more equitable society’. The aim of this study was to examine the reflections of a group of retired British Paralympic athletes on the relationship between the Paralympic Games and disability equality in the United Kingdom. Narrative interviews were conducted with five male retired British Paralympians and one female retired British Paralympian who had participated in a total of 22 Summer Paralympic Games events. I will argue that some Paralympic athletes who are not obvious ‘activists’ can still contribute to equality for disabled people.

The 2012 Paralympics and perceptions of disability in the UK

Throughout the Paralympic Games of 2012, the host nation, Great Britain, was praised for its liberal attitudes and for embracing disability more specifically. This chapter aims to move beyond this one-sided representation to examine the Paralympic Games from multiple positions highlighting the heterogeneity of perceptions that exist. It draws on the jubilant portrayal of the 2012 Games in the media; the positive rhetoric of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC); and, the contrasting views of disability activists. Consequently, this chapter presents a balanced view of the impact of the Paralympic Games that is set in contrast with an existing, yet overly positive academic narrative.

‘You shall not murder’: Atos at the Paralympic Games

ABSTRACT At the London 2012 Paralympic Games, a controversy arose regarding Paralympic sponsor Atos, the French IT company contracted at £400 million to implement the UK Governments Work Capability Assessment. Atos was accused of falling short of professional codes of conduct, including declaring fit for work persons who subsequently died following removal of their benefits. The disability rights group Disabled People Against Cuts held UK-wide protests at Atos offices in Cardiff, Glasgow, Belfast, and London. I argue that rather than responding positively to the protests, the International Paralympic Committee is causing damage to the Disabled Peoples Movement. To build the argument within a theological context, the Biblical story of Cains slaying of his brother Abel is applied to help understand the relationship between the International Paralympic Committee and the Disabled Peoples Movement, respectively.

The GB Football Team for London 2012: What’s All the Fuss About?

In this chapter, extracts from debates between English football fans interacting in an online discussion forum prior to the 2012 Olympics (June 2008–September 2009) are presented to highlight how the GB football team issue was strongly interconnected to British identity politics in the early twenty-first century by these fans. Examples of support for and examples of arguments against the GB football team are presented before disclosing what actually happened in the immediate build-up and aftermath of the 2012 Olympic football tournament. The future prospect of a truly representative UK football team is then critically analysed in the conclusion.

Christianity and social scientific perspectives on sport: introduction to the special issue

Abstract The aim of this introduction is to provide a context for the contributions that follow in this special issue. The origins and scope of, as well as the rationale for, this special issue are discussed before a summary of, and brief commentary on, the eight papers is provided. In our conclusion we provide suggestions for comparisons between some of the papers in order to help readers to consider the breadth of the topics covered and the potential for further research. We end by positing that if social scientific analyses of sport are to be taken seriously, then some of us are duty bound to engage with Christian perspectives.

Tanni Grey-Thompson ‘The one that got away’: A theological analysis of foeticide, infanticide and the deviant Paralympic success story

Abstract In this essay, I apply a theological perspective to argue that the Paralympic Games, its athletes and the media, unwittingly collude to demonstrate contempt towards the killing of disabled children, whilst claiming that disability equality has been improved or achieved. I argue that British Paralympic athlete Tanni Grey-Thompson was destined to succeed because many of her potential competitors were denied the right to life. British newspapers and publicly available figures related to the killing of disabled children in the United Kingdom are contrasted against the positive narrative about disabled people promoted by the International Paralympic Committee. I make reference to Christian bio-medical ethics to draw attention to the medical profession’s negative attitudes towards disabled people in the early 1900s, which provided execution techniques for the Nazi holocaust. I conclude by contending that the genocide of disabled children continues unabated despite the positive and dominant discourse attached to the Paralympic Games.