Public Divided On Whether to Integrate Olympics and Paralympics: Global Poll

12 March 2012 - The public around the world is divided on whether the Paralympics should be integrated into the Olympic Games or should remain a separate event, according to a new 19-nation global poll for BBC World Service.

The results of the poll of 10,294 people, conducted by GlobeScan, show that similar numbers favour making the Paralympics part of the Olympics (47%) and keeping it as a separate event (43%). At present, the Paralympic Games are separate, but held immediately following the Olympics using the Olympic stadium and facilities.

But the poll also indicates that views differ significantly from country to country. In total, eight countries favour integrating the two events, six want to keep them separate, and five are divided. Many of the most successful Olympic nations favour keeping the two events separate, with majorities in China (67% separate, 27% integrated), the USA (64% vs 29%), and Australia (54% vs 42%) opposed to integrating them. Germany, another major Olympic medal-winning nation, is divided (46% separate, 45% integrated).

In contrast, in France (26% separate, 70% integrated), Chile (19% vs 75%), Egypt (39% vs 57%), and India (26% vs 47%), the balance of public opinion favours integrating the Paralympics into the main Games.

In the UK, which will host this year’s Olympics, public opinion is divided, but slightly opposed to bringing the two events together (50% vs 46%).

Another recent BBC/GlobeScan global poll found that majorities in most countries polled—but particularly high proportions in developing nations, including China—say that their country’s Olympic achievements affect their national pride.

GlobeScan Chairman Doug Miller comments: “The poll results suggest that integrating the Olympics and the Paralympics would be a controversial decision, with most of the nations who have won the lion's share of gold medals over recent years opposed to the change.”

A total of 10,294 citizens across 19 countries were interviewed face-to-face or by telephone between December 6, 2011 and February 17, 2012. Polling was conducted for BBC World Service by the international polling firm GlobeScan and its research partners in each country. In five of the 19 countries, the sample was limited to major urban areas. The margin of error per country ranges from +/- 2.9 to 4.9 per cent, 19 times out of 20.

For more details, please visit www.GlobeScan.com 

Other Detailed Findings

On the question of whether the Paralympics should be integrated into the main Olympic Games, the public in Russia is less polarised than respondents in the two other biggest medal-winning nations (the US, and China). While a plurality of 46 per cent in Russia is opposed to integrating the two events, many more are opposed in the US (64%) and China (67%), and the percentage of Russians who favour integration is correspondingly higher (39% vs 29% and 27% in the US and China respectively).

Views of Canadians differ from those of their American neighbours. While a majority (55%) is opposed to integrating the Paralympics into the main Olympics, support for integration is still higher than in the US (44% vs 29%, respectively).

In Latin America, respondents are generally supportive of the inclusion of the Paralympics within the main Games. Chileans are the most favourable to integration among all countries surveyed (75% in favour of integration, and only 19% opposed).

The public in Africa is more undecided. Besides Egypt, where a majority of 57 per cent favours integration, respondents in Kenya and Nigeria are divided between supporters of integration and supporters of keeping the events separate.

Participating Countries

In China, Egypt, Indonesia, Kenya, and Turkey urban samples were used.

For detailed results, including country-by-country data for all key questions, please see the Key Findings page below.

Media Contacts

For media interviews with the participating pollsters, please contact:

About GlobeScan

GlobeScan Incorporated is an international opinion research consultancy. We provide global organisations with evidence-based insight to help them set strategy and shape their communications. Companies, multilateral institutions, governments, and NGOs trust GlobeScan for our unique expertise across reputation management, sustainability, and stakeholder relations. GlobeScan conducts research in over 90 countries, is ISO 9001-2008 quality certified and a signatory to the UN Global Compact.

Established in 1987, GlobeScan is an independent, management-owned company with offices in Toronto, London, and San Francisco. For more information, visit: www.globescan.com

About BBC World Service

The BBC World Service is an international multimedia broadcaster, delivering a wide range of language and regional services on radio, TV, online and via wireless handheld devices. It uses multiple platforms to reach its weekly audience of 166 million globally, including shortwave, AM, FM, digital satellite and cable channels. Its news sites include audio and video content and offer opportunities to join the global debate. BBC World Service offers its multilingual radio content to partner FM stations around the world and has numerous partnerships supplying content to news websites, mobile phones and other wireless handheld devices as well as TV channels. For more information, visit: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice