Paralympics Part 1

From reading different blog entries and the responses, I have found that media exposure in regards to the Paralympic Games has been one of much discussion. Therefore, I've decided to tackle the issue myself and add another perspective.

The issue at hand seems to be whether or not large broadcasting stations should put more coverage of the Paralympics on the air. Some think that the lack of national viewing interest is reason enough not to show the same amount of coverage that the Olympics would receive. Others feel that there is a certain social or moral responsibility that the media has to help publicize the Paralympics.

My view of the situation is that each entity (in this case, media and the Paralympics) has to supports its own interests. The media has to protect its business and air material that they know will generate viewership as well as sponsorship. As with any business, it is important do what you can for as many different people while still earning a profit when everything is said and done. If the major stations are losing a great deal of money by showing something that people won't watch, there will not be the media outlets necessary to inform the public. On the other side, advocates for the Paralympic Games should absolutely be bartering for more media coverage. When you market a product or strongly believe in a product, you will market it to the best of your abilities to have the most people know about it. If the Games could find their niche on network television, they would be able to be covered more. And from my personal perspective, I hope that niche is found so there is more exposure for disabled athletes.

I feel as if another argument people give in favor of more exposure for the Paralympics deals with the effort they put into their sport. People will say, "Well, this wheelchair athlete puts just as much time and effort and energy into being the fastest in the world, just like Michael Phelps does. Why shouldn't this athlete have the same exposure as Phelps?" This is a conundrum not only in the Paralympics but in many sports. For example, NCAA Division III men's basketball players work just as hard as NCAA Division I players do. Does this mean that ONU men's basketball players should be upset that they aren't on Sportscenter every night during the winter? I don't think so. The athletes at ONU understand the reality that the general public is way more concerned with the Division I level as opposed to the Division III level. It is an accepted truth, but the players will still work just as hard.