The Lisbon Cerebral Palsy Association (APCL) challenged on Monday that people in wheelchairs should not be allowed to participate in the Lisbon Half Marathon, while the organization regrets the inconvenience and justifies the exclusion on safety grounds.
Ahead of the race held on Sunday, several people in wheelchairs were unable to cross the 25 de Abril bridge when they were at the head of the popular peloton, whose departure took place on the Almada side of the crossing.
In a statement, the APCL disputes what happened on Sunday for participating in the event “for many years” with people in wheelchairs.
“To the surprise of all the group participating in this edition, entry was denied, prevented from participating, arguing that the regulations do not allow the participation of people in wheelchairs”reads in APCL’s message, recalling the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Also in a statement, the organization reminds that “the non-participation of participants in wheelchairs, highchairs and other equipment in this Sunday’s competitions is solely due to safety concerns and due to serious incidents that occurred in previous editions”.
“Nevertheless, we are the first to regret the inconvenience caused to participants who have been deprived of participation. We have already contacted APCL and have shown our willingness to look together for a way in which we can count on the participation of its members , ensuring safety.” of all participants”concluded the organization, recalling its pioneering spirit as a promoter of 20 editions of tests for people with physical disabilities.
The APCL, on the other hand, complains about the “total absence of inclusion” in the 2023 edition, as the use of the race regulations is considered abusive, which stipulates: “The participation of people with pets, strollers, skates and any other accessory not used for this type of competition is expressly prohibited”.
APCL sees this as “a disguised form of exclusion of people with reduced mobility”, and calls on “all entities responsible for defending the rights of people with disabilities to take a stand on this issue”.
Ethiopians Nibret Melak and Almaz Ayana were the winners, among the elite, of the 32nd edition of the Lisbon Half Marathon, which on Sunday counted 11,158 finalists in the distance, 10 thousand in the 10-kilometer race and about 500 in the seven.
Source: DN
