Winter Olympics blasted for mental illness ban
WINTER Olympics organisers have been blasted for putting up signs barring people with mental illness.
One MP branded it “outrageous” as the Paralympics prepares to open on Friday.
The notices at the Gangneung Olympic Park, where speed-skating and curling events take place, state: “Drunk and mentally ill are not allowed access.” Former Lib Dem health minister and mental health campaigner Norman Lamb said: “It’s a powerful reminder that in many parts of the world the stigma against people with mental ill health is as strong as ever.”
The International Paralympic Committee has demanded the message is covered up. A spokesman said: “Korea
Sign outside Olympic park is not as advanced as Britain when it comes to disability and we hope staging the Paralympic Winter Games here will act as a catalyst to changing this.”
Pyeongchang 2018 said: “We deeply apologise for any offence this may have caused.” In January, organisers also apologised for patronising advise to volunteers in a handbook, including: “A female disabled is also a female human being.”