Newsroom
Member of the European Parliament Fidias Panayiotou has come under criticism following remarks made during a publicly available podcast discussion concerning the classification of athletes in the Paralympic Games.
The discussion took place during a podcast episode featuring 21-year-old Paralympic swimmer Loizos Chrysanthou, who was invited to explain how athletes are categorized in Paralympic competition. Chrysanthou has also publicly expressed interest in standing as a parliamentary candidate with the Direct Democracy movement in the Nicosia district.
During the episode, Chrysanthou outlined the Paralympic swimming classification system, explaining that categories range from S1 to S14 and are determined by the type of impairment an athlete has. According to his explanation, categories S1 to S10 apply to physical impairments, S11 to S13 to visual impairments, and S14 to intellectual disabilities. Chrysanthou competes in category S10 due to polyneuropathy.
At one point in the discussion, Panayiotou used the phrase “S14 is for the crazy ones” when referring to the category involving intellectual disabilities. Chrysanthou immediately responded by clarifying that the category concerns neurological and intellectual impairments. The conversation then moved on to another topic.
The episode was later uploaded to the Direct Democracy movement’s YouTube channel, where it attracted public attention and criticism.
Public response
Following the release of the video, members of the public expressed strong reactions, particularly regarding the language used to describe intellectual disability. Several commentators emphasized that people with disabilities already face social stigma and marginalization and argued that such terminology reinforces harmful stereotypes.
Some members of the public also questioned the relevance of discussing medical classifications in this manner, stressing that political discourse should instead focus on rights, inclusion, and equal treatment.
Statement by the Cyprus Paralympic Committee
The Cyprus Paralympic Committee issued an official statement condemning the remark. In its statement, the Committee described the language used as offensive, demeaning, and incompatible with the values of the Paralympic Movement.
According to the Committee, the term used cannot be dismissed as humor or a momentary lapse, as it directly stigmatizes athletes with intellectual disabilities and undermines the principles of respect and inclusion that underpin Paralympic sport. The Committee further stated that Paralympic athletes regularly confront prejudice and exclusion, and that public discourse should contribute to awareness rather than reinforce discrimination.
The Committee emphasized that when such remarks are made by an elected official, the issue carries political and institutional significance beyond individual responsibility.
In its concluding remarks, the Cyprus Paralympic Committee called on Panayiotou to publicly acknowledge the mistake and to adopt language that promotes respect and understanding. The statement referenced the philosopher Epictetus, noting that social attitudes, rather than disability itself, are often the source of exclusion.
The Committee reaffirmed its role as the body responsible for the development and promotion of the Paralympic Movement in Cyprus and stated that it will continue to oppose all forms of verbal abuse, stigmatization, and discrimination.
