PARIS (AP) — The message is unmistakable: Paralympians are not just participating; they are competing fiercely.

In recent days, many athletes gearing up for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games have taken to their social media platforms to emphasize that they, too, are vying for gold, just like Olympians.

The games kick off next week, with the opening ceremony set for Wednesday. Athletes, along with the games’ social media and creative teams, are adopting a bold approach in their messaging. They are focusing on showcasing their disabilities as part of their identity while also introducing their unique personalities, even if it makes some viewers uncomfortable.

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has released a series of YouTube videos that highlight the more edgy side of its athletes. Videos such as “Paris 2024: What Really Matters” and “Paris 2024: 100 Days to Go – Welcome to the Paralympics” feature the tagline: “This is the Paralympics… they’re not playing games.”

‘A Guy With No Arms’

The “What Really Matters” series opens with a surprising moment. A cheerful man, standing at 5 feet 6 inches, drives a car using his foot to grip the steering wheel. He turns to his passenger and grins, “Is this your first time riding in a car with a guy without arms?”

This armless man is Paralympic silver medalist Matt Stutzman, known as the “Armless Archer.” He skillfully controls the vehicle with his feet, using his left foot for the pedals and his right foot for steering.

Stutzman’s passenger is Chuck Aoki, a wheelchair rugby player who is also part of Team USA. In the YouTube series, Stutzman interviews Aoki and para track and field athlete Scout Bassett, allowing them to share their stories from a refreshing perspective, often with humor.

“There’s that connection; it’s like an unspoken bond,” Stutzman shared. He won a silver medal in the men’s individual compound open event at the London 2012 Games. “Even if I don’t know who Bassett is, we both understand the unique challenges we’ve faced to reach this level in our sport.”

Bold Messaging

The IPC has faced some backlash for its candid portrayal of athletes’ disabilities, but spokesman Craig Spence argues that this bold approach is essential.

“Paralympians have a fantastic sense of humor. They aren’t sheltered from society,” Spence explained in an earlier interview this year.

“They enjoy making jokes about themselves,” he continued. “Like everyone else, and that’s why we’ve adopted a more daring style on the Paralympic TikTok account.”

According to Spence, much of the criticism directed at the IPC comes from individuals outside the disability community. Many comments question who manages the account, suggesting it may be someone mocking disabilities. However, Spence clarified that the account is managed by Richard Fox, a British Paralympian from 2008.

Several videos have gone viral on the TikTok account. One clip features single-leg cyclist Darren Hicks winning a gold medal in the time trial para-cycling event in Tokyo, accompanied by a humorous audio track mimicking a Marine drill sergeant yelling “left, left, left.”

Another video showcases double-arm amputee Zheng Tao bumping into a wall with his head while claiming gold at the London 2012 Games, leaving viewers astonished in the comments.

For Stutzman, this type of content allows him and his teammates to convey that they are not defined by their disabilities; they are athletes with diverse capabilities who happen to have disabilities.

“The Paralympic Games and archery have shown the world that individuals with physical disabilities can achieve what anyone else can,” Stutzman stated.

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Ana Escamilla is currently a student in the undergraduate certificate program within the Carmical Sports Media Institute at the University of Georgia.

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For more information, visit the AP Paralympics hub at apnews.com.