The Cyprus Paralympic Committee has strongly condemned the controversy of offensive comments made by MEP Fidias Panayiotou during a public podcast featuring Paralympic swimmer Loizos Chrysanthou. The Committee described the remarks as insulting, derogatory, and deeply regressive, affecting not only people with intellectual disabilities but also the broader Paralympic Movement.
During the podcast, 21-year-old Chrysanthou, who competes in the S10 swimming category due to polyneuropathy and aims to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics, explained the classification system for Paralympic athletes.
When he attempted to mention the S14 category for athletes with intellectual disabilities, Fidias Panayiotou asked: “Is S14 for the crazies you said?” The question caused discomfort for Chrysanthou, who clarified: “No, it concerns the brain; they have intellectual disabilities.”
Paralympic Committee demands public apology
The Cyprus Paralympic Committee stated that such language is not a trivial mistake or humour but a direct insult to athletes overcoming prejudice and exclusion. It called on Panayiotou to publicly acknowledge his error and promote awareness, quoting Epictetus: “The problem is not the disability, but society’s perception of it.”
The Committee emphasised that it will continue opposing verbal abuse, social discrimination, and all forms of marginalisation, reaffirming its role in developing and promoting the Paralympic Movement across Cyprus.
Political parties and organisations react
Political parties and organisations have also responded to the incident. AKEL labelled Panayiotou’s statements as “unacceptable, regressive and deeply troubling,” noting that elected officials must uphold responsibility and respect in public discourse.
The Cyprus Confederation of Organisations of the Disabled (CCOD) criticised the MEP for perpetuating discriminatory views, urging him to undertake rapid training on respect, inclusivity, and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The DISY echoed the condemnation, stressing that offensive comments about Paralympic athletes are unacceptable in any context. DISY called for a public apology from Panayiotou, emphasising that inclusion and respect for people with disabilities must guide all public communication.
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