Furious Paralympians Blast Fortnum & Mason for Only Inviting Able-Bodied Olympians to Champagne After-Party
Excluded from the Party
For British Paralympians basking in the afterglow of success at the Paris Games, a champagne after-party at Fortnum & Mason promised the perfect end to a day of hobnobbing with the King at Buckingham Palace. Instead, Paralympic athletes were left feeling aggrieved and excluded as it became apparent that, despite being jointly hosted at the palace alongside their able-bodied Olympic counterparts on Thursday, they were not invited to a lavish bash at the luxury London department store afterwards.
Zac Shaw’s Reaction
Zac Shaw, a Paralympic visually impaired sprinter who won silver in the mixed 4x100m and bronze in the 100m T12 in Paris, branded the snub hurtful and unfair, adding that an attempt by Fortnum & Mason to blame the omission on a ‘failure of communication’ had only compounded his sense of injustice.
Zac Shaw, second from left, meets King Charles together with his partner, fellow Paralympic sprinter Ali Smith, at a reception at Buckingham Palace on Thursday
A Fortnum & Mason Spokesperson’s Response
After an attempt to contact Fortnum & Mason privately was met by silence, Shaw posted a message on social media asking the store directly why it had hosted ‘an after-party for the Olympic medallists but made the decision not to invite the Paralympic medallists’. In a reply posted by Shaw on Instagram, a spokesperson for Fortnum & Mason apologised and said the store planned to hold another function for Paralympians.
The spokesperson went on explain that the company’s five-floor, 65,000 sq ft Piccadilly store had insufficient space to accommodate both the Olympic and Paralympic athletes.
A Fortnum & Mason spokesperson said the company’s five-floor, 65,000 sq ft store had insufficient space to accommodate both the Olympic and Paralympic athletes
Conclusion
The exclusion of Paralympic athletes from the champagne after-party at Fortnum & Mason has sparked outrage and disappointment. While the store has apologised and promised to hold another function for Paralympians, the initial decision has left a sour taste. It is imperative that events like these promote inclusivity and respect for all athletes, regardless of their abilities.
FAQs
Q: Why were Paralympic athletes not invited to the champagne after-party at Fortnum & Mason?
A: Fortnum & Mason claims that the company’s five-floor, 65,000 sq ft Piccadilly store had insufficient space to accommodate both the Olympic and Paralympic athletes.
Q: Has Fortnum & Mason apologised for the exclusion?
A: Yes, a spokesperson for Fortnum & Mason apologised and said the store planned to hold another function for Paralympians.
Q: What is the significance of this event?
A: This event highlights the importance of inclusivity and respect for all athletes, regardless of their abilities. It also raises questions about the treatment of Paralympic athletes and whether they are being given equal recognition and opportunities.
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