Para sport — competitive sport for athletes with disabilities — has evolved into a global movement that challenges perceptions, inspires millions, and redefines what it means to be an athlete.
Yet, despite its growth, para sport remains underrepresented in mainstream narratives, and misconceptions still persist.
In this article, we explore why the para sport narrative matters not only for athletes with disabilities, but for society as a whole, and how AISTS is contributing to this incredible movement.
Statistics that tell a story
To start we want to provide some figures that help shape the context around para sport.
- 1.3 billion people, 16% of the global population, experience disability (WHO 2025)
- In the UK, 45% of disabled people reported that participating in physical activity helped improve or maintain their mental health (Activity Alliance).
- The Tokyo 2020 Paralympics featured a record of 162 delegations, and was watched by a cumulative audience of over 4.25 billion people, showcasing the worldwide growth of para sport. (IPC)
- Overall revenue from media rights sales for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games increased by more than 20% compared to Tokyo 2020. (Press Paris Olympics)
Global impact and growth of the Paralympic movement
Despite such impressive figures, para-athletes remain vastly underrepresented in mainstream media as highlighted by UNESCO.
These numbers are not just statistics, they represent lives impacted. They remind us that disability is not rare or distant. In fact, disabilities encompass a wide range of conditions, including not only visible impairments but also less visible challenges such as vision loss, hearing impairments, and chronic illnesses. Disability is a normal part of the human experience, and it must be treated as such across all sectors of society, including sport.
Why para sport is a vehicle for social change
Para sport is more than a celebration of athletic achievements. Beyond medals and podiums, para sport plays a crucial role in shifting public perceptions and inspiring structural change.
By celebrating abilities over disabilities, para sport:
- Normalizes disability in mainstream culture.
- Provides young people with disabilities visible role models.
- Encourages policy reform in sports accessibility.
- Sparks innovation in prosthetics and adaptive equipment.
The para sport narrative matters because inclusion strengthens not just sport, but society as a whole. When sports are truly accessible, they foster innovations that benefit all athletes not just para athletes and push the entire industry forward.
Diverse participation brings new ideas, attracts broader audiences, and builds stronger, more engaged communities. Inclusion makes sport more competitive, more creative, and more representative of the world we live in and a stronger, more inclusive sports ecosystem leads to healthier, more resilient societies where everyone has the opportunity to contribute, succeed, and thrive.
AISTS and the 2025 CTN Summit
Recognizing the vital importance of representation and storytelling, AISTS is proud to be the education partner of Changing the Narrative, an association founded by AISTS alumni dedicated to driving positive change in sport.
On 22 May 2025, the annual Changing the Narrative (CTN) Summit titled ‘Levelling the Field: The Para sport Narrative,’ will take place at the UNIL Campus in Lausanne.
The summit will bring together athletes, industry professionals, academics, and policymakers to discuss:
- Inclusive storytelling and the power of narratives in sport
- Innovation and technology driving accessibility in para sport
- Policy frameworks supporting para sport development at all levels
- Best practices from leading international sport organisations
The CTN Summit 2025 “Levelling the Field in Para Sport” will take place on 22/May/2025 from 4:30pm t0 9:00pm
For more information about the summit and to participate in this pivotal conversation, please visit the official CTN Summit 2025 event page.
By actively promoting these values, we are helping to change the narrative, ensuring that para sport is not seen as “separate,” but as an essential and celebrated part of the global sport movement.
