Paralympics: Ban on learning disabled athletes lifted

Learning disabled athletes will be able to compete at the Paralympics in London in 2012 after the International Paralympic Committee lifted a ban on their participation.

The IPC made the decision, which also applies to related competitions, at its general assembly in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which ended yesterday.

This followed a vigorous campaign, including by the British charity Mencap, for learning disabled athletes to be reinstated. They were banned following the 2000 games in Sydney after members of the Spanish basketball team falsely claimed to have a learning disability.

However, Mencap has raised concerns about the lack of funding for learning disabled athletes in the UK since the ban was imposed.

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Paralympics: People with learning disabilities may compete in 2012