Okay, so I might be opening myself up for a whole heap of trouble here, but I thought rather than me just posting random articles with a sociological or historical focus around Paralympic or disability sport in general I thought I’d see what kind of questions people might be interested in me trying to answer or topics they might like me to write about. So if you’ve got a question you want answering or there’s a particular topic you’d like me write about – now’s your chance to ask! I’m not guaranteeing to have the answers to all questions, but I’ll give it my best shot. Some questions may take longer than others to answer depending upon the amount of research I have to do, so please be patient. If I truly don’t have the answer to your question – I’ll tell you and, if possible, try to point you in the direction of somewhere or someone where you might get it answered! You can leave your question or suggested topic in the comment box below or on the Ask the Anorak page.
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paralympicanorak 
Hi,
It’s a great blog and I’m glad I found it.
One thing that maybe you could do is forge links with the Wenlock Olympic Society. Please ask them if there any records of disabled people competing in those Games after 1850. http://www.wenlock-olympian-society.org.uk/
It would be cool if Channel 4 sent a team to cover the Wenlock Games in July.
Best wishes,
Simon Stiel
Hey Simon, I actually did my master’s thesis on the National Olympian Games that Brookes put on. I’m not aware of any references to people with disabilities having taken part, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t. Do you have a link to the Wenlock Games yourself? I dont know if the modern version of the Wenlock Games have any competitions for athletes with disabilities. I guess if they do and a historical link could be found between the early Wenlock Games and athletes with disabilities then C4 might be persuaded to take an interest.
What I would like to know is why are Downs Syndrome athletes not included in the Paralympics
Kindest regards
Christina Stockwell
Dear Christina, I dont have a definitive answer to this question, but there are a number of impairment groups that are not part of the Paralympic Games such as the deaf. However, I would think that if the someone with Down’s Syndrome had sufficient intellectual impairment then they would be eligible to compete at the Paralympic Games in the intellectually Disabled classification provided that their level of sporting achievement is of a sufficient standard to meet the qualification standards for their sport at the Games.
Thank you for your reply, but I am still not clear on this issue. Downs Syndrome is a disability as is Dwarfism, and we saw so many small people represented at the Paralympics. I know there are a lot of Downs Syndrome athletes, so my question is how do they get to participate, is there some way for them to apply for entry, as a group not individually. I am sorry to be a nuisance but it is something I have been thinking about for a very long time, and I feel that they are a group of people who should be represented.
Thank you for your patieneeds
Kind regards
Christina Stockwell
Dear Christina, as I said in my previous reply I dont have a definitive response for you – I dont make the the rules about who can and cant participate in the Games. Below are some links to articles you may find useful including one on the newly formed Trisome Games just for people with Down’s Syndrome. I hope they provide you with at least some of the answers you seek!
http://mashable.com/2016/08/29/down-syndrome-athletes-paralympics/#8oDcFx0vYiqd
https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/are-downs-syndrome-athletes-shortchanged-in-paralympic-movement/
http://www.lifeissues.org/2016/09/swimming-paralympic-games-controversy/
http://www.west-info.eu/the-first-olympic-games-for-athletes-with-down-syndrome/
Thank you so much for your reply and I am sorry if I sounded a bit rude in my previous message and I realise that you don’t make the rules, but I thank you very much indeed for the links you have sent me I am sure they will be very useful, and I promise I will not harass you again ☺☺
No worries Christina. Happy to help where I can!