Paralympic's - wtf?!!

[hello33sunshine]

So I just caught a medal ceremony on the Paralympics tonight and I was shocked to see that, woth their medal, they were gifted a teddy.
Am I missing something?!
In the olympics the got some fancy French map outlined in gold.... and the Paralympics get a teddy.

I know the budget isn't as much, and it's sadly not as big as event or as celebrated as the actual Olympics, but I almost think that's offensive to these deserving athletes!

Anyone else agree?!

I noticed it too.

Previous Olympics have given the medallists soft toys. It's not a downgrade for the Paralympians.

Past Olympics have given out teddies.

Also, turns out the Olympic medalists got a teddy off the podium, and the Paralympic medalists will get a map off the podium. olympics.com/en/news/paris-2024-olympics-award-athletes-podium-medals-poster-mascot

I was just annoyed that the opening ceremony ignored many countries because of the ads..so disrespectful!!

I didn't watch, but any live sporting (or otherwise) event on channel 4 will have ads, or they couldn't afford to broadcast it. Globally the BBC is very unusual in that sense.

Yes, the adverts on paralympics are annoying me. I’m really pleased that C4 are showing them, as they championed the Paralympic’s well before many other broadcasters did, but the adverts spoil the events!

I do, however, appreciate the option to watch the signed events on another C4 channel snd the alternative sports on a streaming channel. I teach boccia so it’s good to watch it being played at a competitive level.

It's been very, very common over the decades to give athletes a stuffed toy - often a mascot from the games.

I can't share your outrage.
In fact, I think I'd prefer a mascot / stuffed toy to a poster, as that is quite a niche odd thing to take to show people when you get invited to places after your win.

I think a teddy is fine…I would prefer one to a map

My daughter twigged that they’re special editions with gold, silver and bronze blades. I think that’s pretty cool, because the posters also have gold, silver and bronze detailing depending on the medal won.

its a mascot

PEOPLE NEED TO READ THIS BEFORE GETTING OUTRAGED.

so they all get both

I DON'T THINK ANYONE BAR OP IS OUTRAGED.

Though lots of people missing the point that everyone us getting both pister and mascot.

I wonder if mascot is easier on average to carry for the para olymians?

What is an “average” Paralympian? There are many, many disabilities represented and I can’t think of any that would make holding a soft toy easier than holding a long slim box.

As for the OP, I assumed it was because so many people moaned about the Olympians not being presented with a mascot as they’ve done in many previous Games.

Apparently they also have something written on them in braille too.

@FlatWhiteExtraHot Well I know there is no such thing. But I was wondering out loud whether there was any 'on balance' benefit.

Eg 90% it makes no difference either way, 6% find posters awkward for some reason, 4% find mascots awkward, so on balance go with mascots? That kind of thing?

Important also to remember that the Paralympics and Olympics are distinct if related organisations that will have taken different decisions on lots of matters.

The Paralympics committee may simply prefer the brand recognition that will come with every medal winner being photographed holding the mascot.

Olympians were gifted the matching colour (gold/silver/bronz) mascot toy when they received their medals box maybe they’ve swapped it and they’ll receive the poster when they get the box (at least that’s what I’m hoping to see)