Special Olympics Pakistan Youth Leader and Athlete Humaira Kazim says that being inclusive means working together, playing together and trying to understand each other. Sports will do that.
The Opening Ceremony of the Paris Olympics kicks off next week, and I must admit, I’ve never given it much attention. After digging around the archives of history, I was delighted to discover many a strange tale and stories of happenstance since its inception in 776 BC Greece to now.
Originally a religious pagan festival in the name of the Greek idol Zeus, it was outlawed in 393 AD, only to be revived in 1894 by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, who ‘modernised it’ in a newer iteration, as it is known today. Lending from the idea that all wars in the region must have a ceasefire during the games, the ‘spirit’ of the Olympics is embodied in the colours of the five rings (world regions) with all nations’ flags represented to demonstrate a sense of community; the Olympic motto of Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together, acts a statement on the unifying power of sport and solidarity.
Interestingly, from 1912 to 1954, the Olympics awarded medals for art. Alongside events like gymnastics and swimming, an Olympian could compete in “painting, sculpture, architecture, literature, and music,” so long as whatever they were submitting was “inspired by the concept of sport”.
While the arts lost their sports status, another idea blossomed in 1968, as the Olympics evolved again, by introducing the first Special Olympics in Chicago’s Soldier Field for young people with intellectual disabilities. The event was founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver with the intention to spotlight ability, not disability.
For those who follow the Special Olympics, one may recall the scandal that occurred during the Sydney 2000 Games whereby the Spanish basketball team was stripped of their intellectual disability basketball gold medal shortly after the Games closed after it had emerged that players had pretended to be intellectually disabled. Cheeky.
Fast forward to today, MNATION is honoured to speak with a very talented Special Olympics Pakistan Youth Leader Humaira Kazim, who represents the Asia Pacific region on the Special Olympics Global Youth Leadership Council, doing great work to lead youth work activations at the local, regional and global levels.
Diagnosed with an intellectual disability as a child, Kazim says that she learnt about Special Olympics Pakistan through elementary school.
“The school was participating in the Special Olympics National Games in 2014. I took part as an athlete where I won a silver medal in the 100 meters race and a gold medal in the 200 meters race. These were the first medals I had ever won, so I was very happy and felt proud of myself. I then continued to be involved in more sports with Special Olympics, including football. I wanted to show my talents in sports and make more friends. My life totally changed after joining the movement. I joined athletics and took part in the 2019 World Games, representing Pakistan in the 200 meter race and the 400 meter relay,” says Kazim.
Kazim says that joining the organisation opened many doors for her as a leader, when she discovered a talent for public speaking.
“Before joining the movement, people used to tell me what I could or could not do, but since joining I have become a lot more independent and confident. I now speak in schools, I can travel alone, and I also recently spoke on my first panel discussion at the Asia Pacific Youth Summit held in Singapore. I’m proud of myself and how far I have come. People now say that I am a good example for others. It makes me feel proud,” says Kazim.
Beyond the challenges of preparing for competition, Kazim says the most difficult mountain for her to climb was being misunderstood.
“I was not being perceived seriously by society as a contributor. In school, some teachers were impatient, or would ask why I was writing slowly. My family’s support has also been vital to overcoming my challenges. I tell them all about the events and activities I participate in, how I’m trying hard to succeed and prove people wrong and show that people with intellectual disabilities also have talents. Their support encourages me to think for myself; for instance, when I travelled alone for Special Olympics events, I would try to speak in English and strive to be independent. It’s important to do things for yourself,” says Kazim.
According to Kazim, finding inner strength is a defining characteristic of athletes who participate in the Special Olympics.
“I think being determined and resilient is our biggest strength. We keep trying until we achieve results and never give up. Trying is a good thing because you learn a lot, and I want to keep improving myself. It also makes me a good advocate for others who are special. My best friend who has ID was bullied and that was when I started becoming braver and speaking out. Later on, I met a boy who had ID who was also bullied in my neighbourhood. Some of the neighbors were laughing at him. I asked them, ‘Why are you bullying him? Don’t you know that you are hurting him and that he has feelings?’ They stopped after that. Today, I stand up not just for myself but for others who are bullied,” says Kazim.
There is a poignant tale of happenstance during the 2002 Winter Olympics 1,000-meter short track speed skating final.
Australian Steven Bradbury was way behind his four fellow competitors when they suddenly found themselves tangled in a collision. By virtue of being last in the pack, Bradbury was able to avoid the scrum and skate to victory, winning gold. It was Australia’s first Winter Olympics gold medal. Commenting on the win, Bradbury said, “I wasn’t as strong as the other guys out there, but I am going to take it. God smiles on you some days, and this is my day”.
Not dissimilar to Kazim, who found herself a slow starter at the beginning of her journey, it seems like Allah made sure she proved victorious in the end. SubhanAllah.
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