'I'm ready to change the narrative': Allison Lang makes it clear the Paralympics are different from the Olympics
The Canadian athlete explained why the events are "not the same thing" and how proud she is to become a Paralympian.
Allison Lang is clarifying some misconceptions about the Paralympics. The Canadian athlete took to social media on Wednesday with a candid video explaining how the Paralympic Games, which run this year from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8 in Paris, differ from the recently-completed Olympic Games. In her clip, the Montreal-based disability advocate shared she's grateful for the love and support from her fans, but that something has been "sitting so heavy on my chest" leading up to the Paralympics.
"It is the fact that people keep congratulating me for going to the Olympics. I am not going to the Olympics. I am going to the Paralympics, and when I correct them, they say, 'Oh, same thing,'" Lang, who was born in Edmonton missing her left leg, shared. "It's not the same thing."
Lang continued to explain how the two events are "completely different." She noted the Paralympics are for people who "have overcome adversity and hardships, and still regardless of their disability, compete and qualify to play and represent their country and the highest level."
"And that I am so proud of. Saying Paralympic or Paralympian is not offensive language — it is inclusive language. I am d—n proud that I will become a Paralympian in two flipping weeks. That is unbelievable to me, because when I was a young child, I didn't want to be alive because of my disability," she added, as tears started welling up. "Now that I get to represent my country and compete at the highest level and gain a name like 'Paralympian,' it just takes away from it when people still say 'Olympian.'"
Lang explained when she corrects people to refer to her as a "Paralympian" over an "Olympian," she isn't thinking less of herself. She shared "this is everything that I've ever wanted" and that it's crucial people amplify the Paralympic Game: "The more we talk about it, the more inclusive sports will be because there's still a gap between the equality of Olympic sport and Paralympic sport."
In the caption to her video, Lang further explained that talking about the Paralympics and Paralympians is a "positive thing," and that the event is a "place of inclusion and opportunity." She added she's not ashamed of disability but that she's "disappointed para-athletes don't get the same hype as Olympians."
"The title of 'Paralympics' isn't even in people's vocabulary yet. I'm ready to change that narrative; the demand for accessible sports in now!" Lang wrote, suggesting people watch the "Rising Phoenix" documentary on Netflix.
Fans expressed their support and appreciation for Lang's speech in the comments section of her post. Many people also shared they're proud of Lang, who's making her Paralympic debut on the women's sitting volleyball team.
"So, so proud of you!" Solmaz Khosrowshahian, known as Toronto-based blogger The Curious Creature, commented, to which Lang replied saying, "I'm so lucky to have you in my corner."
"So proud of our Paralympian," added fellow disabled content creator April Lockhart.
"Thank you for this! We needed to hear this. Best of luck at the Paralympic Games!" someone chimed in.
"Thank you for spreading so much awareness regarding the Paralympic Games. We are all learning so much about them because of you. I can't wait to watch you compete," someone else replied.
"Shout it from the rooftops! Hence why I proudly got the Agitos [logo] tattooed on my body. We are not the same, we are Paralympians," former Canadian para-swimmer Summer Mortimer wrote. "Both are incredible, neither should diminish or take away from one another, but both should be recognized equally and individually.
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