PARALYMPIC BAN ON ATHLETES WITH A LEARNING DISABILITY

That this House regrets that athletes with a learning disability are unable to compete in any event sanctioned by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC); notes that as a consequence of this ban all athletes with a learning disability at all levels are unable to receive funding from the Lottery and other official sources because funding is geared to supporting progress to paralympic competition; further notes that this inhibits athletes from reaching their full potential by denying them the chance to compete; regrets the considerable distress which the IPC ban causes to athletes with a learning disability and their families; further notes that this situation has lasted for more than six years; understands that the ban was first implemented in 2000 because of cheating by a small group of non-disabled people; believes that it is wrong that athletes with a learning disability should suffer a ban because of cheating by non-disabled people; recognises the efforts made by the UK Sports Association for People with Learning Disability and their international colleagues to devise a rigorous classification test to ensure that prospective competitors do have a learning disability; and calls on all sides to expedite agreement on a new classification system and therefore asks the Government to make a clear statement that athletes with a learning disability should be allowed to compete in the 2012 Paralympic Games.