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The Inclusion of the Paralympics in the Olympic and Amateur Sports Act

Legal and Policy Implications for Integration of Athletes with Disabilities into the United States Olympic Committee and National Governing Bodies

University of Louisville

Anita M. Moorman

University of Louisville

Eli A. Wolff

Northeastern University’s Center for Sport in Society

The governance of disability sport is a complex and evolving area. In particular, the passage of the Stevens Amendment of 1998 altered the responsibilities of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) in terms of its relationship to disability sport, specifically Paralympic sport. Now the USOC, along with the various national governing bodies (NGBs) and disabled sports organizations (DSOs), is grappling with the implementation of the Stevens Amendment. The policy implications of this legal mandate to be more inclusive of athletes with disabilities are unclear, as Congress did not specify how the act should be implemented. This article provides background information on disability sport governance and presents the legal and policy implications of the Stevens Amendment for the various sport governing bodies.

Key Words: Paralympics • Amateur Sports Act • disability sport • U.S. Olympic Committee

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