Tenth International Conference on Sport & Society

Abstract

In August of 1976, Etobicoke, Ontario hosted the Toronto Olympiad for the Physically Disabled. Over 1500 wheelchair and visually impaired athletes from 38 countries descended on this Toronto suburb, including black and white para athletes from South Africa. While South Africa had been banned from major sporting events, including the Olympic Games since 1964 because of apartheid, para sport had largely been unrecognized as part of the international protest. The organizers of the 1976 Toronto Olympiad for the Physically Disabled were adamant that sport and politics should not mix and that all para athletes from across the world should have the opportunity to participate in these games. More specifically, the organizers argued that since the South African team was integrated, it was a signal that para sport had the ability to unite a divided nation. However, the Canadian Federal Government did not want to see athletes from a sanctioned nation competing in Canada, even if they were disabled. While organizers argued that sport for people with disabilities was about good will and participation, the Federal Government was adamant; if South Africans were invited, then there would be no federal finances offered. Defying the demands of the Federal Government, organizers proceeded and refused to exclude any athlete. This paper examines the Canadian Government’s history related to anti-apartheid and how this complicated and often hypocritical policies influenced the hosting and media coverage of the 1976 Toronto Olympic for the Physically Disabled.