The Loneliness of the American Paralympics Reporter

Shpigel wrote that the U.S. media provided little Paralympic coverage and that he was the only New York Times reporter at the games. Shpigel failed to mention that the Paralympics receives more U.S. media coverage today than it did in the early 1990s. I know this firsthand because I covered the Paralympics back then. Today, The New York Times provides extensive Paralympic coverage. In 1992 when I covered the Paralympics in Barcelona, Spain, not only was The New York Times not there, but neither were most U.S. publications nor U.S. TV media. I asked the NY Times assignment editor if I could cover the Paralympics. (I wrote a couple of sports articles for them as a stringer.) I was told that that was something that The NY Times would have to pass. I was fortunate that Runner's World and The Jerusalem Post allowed me to cover the Paralympics as a stringer with the understanding that there'd be no guarantee that they would use my stories. I was fine with those terms. Now U.S. media coverage improved. David Block

Unfortunately, most Americans would not watch Paralympic sports. Our culture views sports as something only 'elite' players should engage in, and the idea of 'paralympics' doesn't fit with that. And more than a few would not perceive these extrordinary athletes as competing in actual sports.

As the wife of a national power soccer champion, I cannot begin to express how thrilled we are to watch Paralympic coverage on national television. Granted, we wish there were more. That said, as somebody who remembers life before mainstreaming, the ADA, and general inclusion, simply seeing disabled individuals in media--including commercials--means a great deal. Thank you for your coverage.

Thanks for being there & what a shame.

So sweet........please continue to enlighten us.

Thank you for reporting on these games. I've always been annoyed the Paralympics do not have a prime time spot on the local channels. They should not be hidden away on other cable channels.

Excellent article! Thank you SO much, Mr. Shpigel for sharing this story - mostly, for reporting on the amazing Paralympics. The event an all the athletes deserve recognition. Because the local media is snubbing the games, I've been printing info from the Paralympic sites and posting it on my office door. Coworkers are amazed and some started watching and checking the websites. #inclusion!! #awareness!! I've been encouraging the local media in the LA area to at least include an article from another news source. They tell me it costs too much and that the Paralympics are "bad timing" because of March Madness. I say, "baloney!" and keep encouraging them to include the Paralympics in their news coverage. Hopefully, you won't be so lonely in Tokyo. Thank you, again and keep up the great reporting!

I am the mother of a three time USA Paralympian in a summer sport. Thank you so much for your coverage of the Paralympic Games. It is interesting not only to compare the media coverage in the United States compared to other countries, but also the ways the athletes are supported as they progress in their sport. My daughter has a rare genetic disease, and she has often been asked to speak to kids about how full life can be, even when a diagnosis seems to end your dreams--especially for kids with athletic ambitions. Knowing that there are opportunities still for intense play and competition can be a great help, and your reporting helps to raise that awareness. On another note--I enjoyed the directive not to focus so much on back stories, because every Paralympic athlete pretty much has an amazing back story in some way. My daughter, and any Paralympian I have ever met, wants first and foremost to be seen as an athlete when their sport comes up.

These are extraordinary athletes, who deserve coverage. It shouldn't always be about money. Corporations make enough money to sponsor this event. What does that say about our moral compass?

This is not right. We claim we want inclusion and attention paid to the abilities of these athletes...then this. This second-class treatment of the paralympics by media is hypocrisy in the extreme.

Thank you NYT for sending a reporter to the Paralympics. And thank you Ben for going! Will be looking for further stories through the closing ceremonies!

I didn't watch the Olympics either, and I don't watch football. Choice, for whatever reason. If not enough people watch, then advertisers don't sponsor and networks don't want to lose money. Capitalism 101. None of this has anything to do with the worthiness of participants. Who would question that?

It's shameful there is so little coverage. French TV shows 100 hours of Paralympics coverage and we watch it every morning. It's very inspiring and full of the same, if not more, suspense, drama, competitiveness, etc. you get from "regular" sports. Good on the NYT for sending at least 1 journalist.

It should be noted that Justin Trudeau tweets congratulations to all Canadian Paralympic medal winners. I doubt the US President even knows or cares that this event is happening. Keep up the reporting Ben Shpigel.

I'm in the UK and the Paralympics is on TV - late at night, but on TV. It's exciting stuff.

These athletes go far more than the extra mile. I can only image the sweat, grit and extraordinary courage it takes to get these athletes to this place in their lives. Thank you for your thoughtful reporting. It’s inspiring.

I helped cover the 1996 Paralympics in Atlanta for the Associated Press, and we covered it daily. Wonder what’s changed?

We all like to think that the disabled are well intergrated into society but whether its a third world nation like Haiti or first world like America the disabled are not well integrated whatsoever. He's lonely covering the Olympics because American media does not care about the disabled populace. We disabled know that when we see advertisements for movies or shoes or make up or cars the targets of those ads are the "able bodied" not us. He thinks he's lonely covering the Paralympics but imagine feeling that way as you walk through a world that ignores you because you're disfigured.

Since the Paralympics Games began, I’ve been checking the Olympics Channel to catch the games but not once have I seen a televised game. Throughout the Olympics games there were several commercials highlighting the Paralympics athletes so I was looking forward to catching them but it’s all quiet. Very disappointing but I hope the athletes know that their country is rooting for them.

I think it is an insult to these athletes that they are not covered as the other Olympic games. The Paralympians have overcome so many obstacles and deserve equal treatment.

So glad you are reporting. It's not only respectful, it's inspiring, and it's sports. I enjoy the few video snippets I can catch, and I look to your reporting for depth and humanity. Having played ice hockey, I can admit that I wouldn't fancy taking on sled hockey ------ not for the faint-hearted.

Great article about a great event!

Gold medal, Ben, to you, but most of all to those who compete. I often feel the Olympic flame burns brightest when the world isn't looking.

I am so grateful to live in an age where we have access to such reporting!

Thanks for writing this article. I love watching the olympics, and was excited every night to come home and watch after work. This morning I was driving to work and listening to an MPR (Minnesota public radio) interview with Mike Schultz, the snowboarder who won gold and also makes prosthetic legs, including one he wears. Wow. Then the host announced when I could watch the games. Something like 1 pm central. I'm at work. So is everyone else. Bummer!! These athletes are doubly amazing since they are not only athletes, but likely overcame some very daunting physical challenges to get there. Their performances and stories need to be broadcast in prime time!!

As I have said to my friends, do you want to know what's more inspiring than watching an Olympian competing in the Super G? Watching a Paralympian competing in the Super G. Thank you so much for covering the Paralympics. I have been watching it each night and am consistently awed and inspired by the abilities of these athletes. It is a shame that the United States doesn't give these games the coverage they deserve, but I am hoping that in time, the Paralympics gain in popularity. In the meantime, I will cheer on Team USA (especially our town's own two-time winner of sled hockey gold!).

I am so glad to see all of our Olympians covered.

Nice article. I also graduated from a liberal arts college. And work as a translator. Love the ending of your article. Stay warm in SK!

A wonderfully intelligent and touching article. Thank you.

Great headline. It reminds me of the classic sports book “The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner”. Thanks for doing a good job at the Paralympics.

Great article, Ben Shpigel -- background and insights that bring it all together. Thank you.

Keep up the good work Ben. I'm not surprised the language services volunteer at the Gangneung Hockey Center went to Emory. Lee Hong-Koo who served as Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea graduated from there in 1959. For a South Korean acceptance to Emory is comparable to an American student going to Stanford. The Asian student body at this small liberal arts university is one of the largest in the South.

A most gracious and gratifying report. Thank you, Mr. Shpigel.

Thank you for covering the Paralympics. These athletes are truly inspiring. They have overcome great physical and mental challenges to perform amazing athletic feats. And they are nice people too.

Bravo Ben! Athletes are athletes and competition is competition. We are happy that you are on board.

Mr. BEN SHPIGEL: Thank you so much for this informative, interesting and fully encompassing coverage of these events that so few really know enought to see or think about. I really enjoyed your story more than you can know. Thank you.

Thanks for being there, and for making some of the unexpected connections that the Olympics bring.

Keep it up, Ben. There are so many great stories to tell. I’ll be reading...

Thanks for a article that depicts more about these Olympics. Glad the NYC wants to fund the reporting on them.