The Wire

The 2012 Paralympic Games finally drew to an end on Sunday. The Australian team walked away with an impressive total of 85 medals that placed them 5th on the world stage. Much of the media reporting on the Paralympic games has focused on the inspiring performances of these elite athletes, but how do their performances translate at a grass roots level? Many Paralympians and journalists alike, suggest that the inspiring performances at the Paralympics result in a “trickle down effect” that motivate the general public to participate in sporting activities. Yet, some academics argue that the “trickle down effect” is a myth that justifies focus on elite athletes over a broader process of grassroots participation in sport.