The video shows a blind athlete frantically searching for his bike by waving his arms around in the air. Piano music is used as background melody. Anyone with working eyes can see that the athlete is on the wrong track. – It actually looks like he’s playing the piano, says Craig Spence. He is head of communications at the International Paralympic Committee. – We realized that our content had to be a little on the edge to create engagement. Now there are many people who say, “I don’t know if it’s okay to laugh at this, and if I laugh, I’ll go to hell,” says Spence. Video: TikTok/Paralympics The Paralympics’ TikTok account has caused many people to open their eyes recently. “This account is out of control” and “Is this okay?” are among the recurring comments. For example, to the video of a swimmer without arms, who swims hard into the wall head first. The song “Just Keep Swimming” from the film Nemo accompanies the images. Video: TikTok/Paralympics Guest Gauteshow: – Got a little knock According to Spence, it is primarily able-bodied people who react to the content. There have been fewer reactions from those with functional impairments. Salum Kashafali, who has impaired vision, believes that the videos can help create awareness and defuse danger. SPRINT STAR: Salum Kashafali fights for gold in the Paralympics. Photo: Terje Haugnes / news – I laugh even when people say “see you tomorrow”. “We?”, I ask. It’s about not taking yourself so seriously. Disabled or not, everyone is joking with each other. It should be the same for us, without there being a negative intention behind it, says the sprinter. He himself recently became the victim of some rather crude jokes at his own expense. – I was last at Gauteshow and had a bit of a knock there. It’s about not taking yourself so seriously. It is important that people gain knowledge, see the athletes in a positive and pleasant way, and that you can laugh a little at it without there being anything negative behind it, says Kashafali. It doubles up with presenters when Thomas and Harald come to the studio. Contacted by crying mother Table tennis player Aida Dahlen has TikTok as one of her “guilty pleasures”. Like everyone else, she can lie down and scroll on her mobile, and the Paralympics account has naturally appeared on her screen too. – I laugh so hard, she grins. Dahlen believes the content can help create more excitement around the Paralympics, and hopefully lead to more transparency around disabilities. LATTERMILD: Aida Dahlen is participating in the Paralympics for the fourth time. Photo: Terje Haugnes / news She tells of a mother who came away crying because her son wondered what had happened to her. – If you are curious, it is better to ask. For me, there is no harm. I was born that way, and don’t know anything else. Then it is better that people are taught that there is something else and make it harmless, says the Norwegian hope, who was born with half a left arm and left leg. But even if she interprets the TikTok videos as good-hearted humor, it is important not to cross the line. – You can fuss a bit, but don’t be bullied. You shouldn’t do that, she notes. SWIMMERS: Fredrik Solberg. Photo: Inger Kristine Lee / news Swimmer Fredrik Solberg was born with dysmelia, but can joke by telling people that his arm disappeared in a shark attack. – Personally, I think it’s no problem to joke about it, but it’s up to each and every person to decide what’s okay to joke about. Something is fun, something else may not be as fun, he says. Video: TikTok/Paralympics Goes Viral The TikTok account was started in 2020, and has since had over 2 billion views. Over 4.5 million follow them, and behind the account’s content are people who themselves have disabilities. – It is a very important premise. Then it comes from a good place, says Lilly Ann Elvestad, secretary general of the Joint Organization for the Disabled (FFO). – Basically, humor is a bit of a risk sport, because we all have different humours. Disabled people often use humor themselves, and we need less fear of touch for this group, she continues. IPC CHIEF: Craig Spence. Photo: AP That’s why Elvestad welcomes the TikTok humor. Meanwhile, she believes that there is an important distinction between humor and harassment, and that it is crucial that one does not cross that line. – We try to reach out to a global audience, and understand that not everyone will like our content. Sometimes we miss, but we are always willing to listen and learn, says Spence in the Paralympics. Shocked by what the Olympic winner says about the muffin 01:18 Uses MacGyver solution: – A lot you can’t get hold of 01:20 This is where things go wrong for the news reporter live 00:36 Absurd VAR protest – organized barbecue with sack race 00 :27 Show more Published 29.08.2024, at 05.47
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– If I laugh, I’ll go to hell – Paralympics Paris 2024
