Paralympian Heinrich Popow: 'Sports is the Best Medicine'

The Power of Sports: Popow's Vision for a More Inclusive World

“The way that kids interact with people with a disability, and also with stuff they see for the...”

Paralympian Heinrich Popow shares his insights on the importance of disability inclusion and how sports can be a game-changer for individuals with disabilities.

Heinrich Popow, a renowned Paralympian, has a unique perspective on acceptance and inclusion. When visiting his children's kindergarten, Popow is often met with curiosity and enthusiasm from the kids. As he recalls, “So when I, for example, go to Kindergarten with shorts in the summer, I'm the coolest daddy in the world because kids accept me. And then they ask me, 'What do you have?' So I explain. And because my two daughters, always put some new stickers on my legs, every day I have a different leg.” This experience has taught Popow the value of acceptance and the importance of learning from children.

Popow's own journey with disability began at a young age. He lost his lower leg at the age of 9, an experience he describes as tougher on his parents than on himself. Despite this challenge, Popow remained active in sports, eventually finding his passion in athletics at the sports club, Bayer Leverkusen. His hard work and dedication paid off, as he went on to win numerous medals, including a bronze medal at the International Paralympics Committee World Athletics Championships in 2002.

Throughout his career, Popow has achieved immense success, including multiple Paralympic medals. As he reflects on his journey, Popow credits sports with giving him the opportunity to push beyond barriers and limits. As he says, “Sports gave me the opportunity to push barriers and limits.” This mindset has continued to drive Popow, both in his athletic pursuits and in his advocacy for greater inclusion and acceptance.

As a renowned Paralympian with numerous gold medals and World Championship titles under his belt, Heinrich Popow is optimistic about the future for people with disabilities. He attributes this progress, in part, to the growing popularity and success of the Paralympics, which have helped raise awareness and promote inclusion.

Despite this progress, Popow believes there is still much work to be done, particularly in changing societal attitudes towards people with disabilities. He longs for a world where adults view people with disabilities with the same curiosity and openness as children. As Popow explained to DW, “The biggest change I would love to see is to break the barriers of having this, we call it in German, Berührungsangst, being afraid to come too close.”

Popow's vision is one of increased interaction and understanding between people with disabilities and those without. He aspires to a world where adults approach people with disabilities with the same sense of wonder and curiosity as children. As he emphasized, “The way that kids interact with people with a disability, and also with stuff they see for the first time. That is what I would like to see adults do.”

Heinrich Popow is a highly accomplished Paralympian, having won a gold medal at the London 2012 Paralympics, as well as achieving success in the long jump event. Beyond his athletic pursuits, Popow is dedicated to promoting and defending the rights of people with disabilities in Germany and globally.

As an advocate for disability rights, Popow seeks to empower those who are newly disabled to engage in sports. He believes that sports can be a powerful tool for personal growth and development, and he actively encourages others to explore their potential. Through his work, Popow aims to challenge societal attitudes and promote greater inclusion and acceptance of people with disabilities.

In addition to his advocacy work, Popow is also employed by Ottobock, a leading manufacturer of prosthetics and mobility solutions. As part of his role, Popow frequently visits clinics and participates in engagement opportunities, where he shares his experiences and insights with others. Ottobock's focus on providing innovative solutions for individuals with amputations, injuries, or neurological diseases aligns with Popow's passion for promoting inclusivity and accessibility.

Heinrich Popow's extensive travels have led him to a profound realization: countries that excel in the Paralympics tend to be those that prioritize inclusivity for people with disabilities. This correlation has sparked Popow's concern about Germany's performance in the 2024 Paralympics, where the country finished a disappointing 11th in the medals table.

Popow attributes Germany's underwhelming performance to the country's shortcomings in promoting grassroots sports for people with disabilities. As he shared with DW, “Grassroot sports in Germany are not improving the way they need to improve.” This sentiment is echoed by federal government research from 2022, which revealed that over half of disabled individuals in Germany avoid participating in sports.

The research also highlighted significant barriers to inclusion, including the fact that 90% of playing fields and gymnasiums in Germany are not barrier-free. Furthermore, insurance companies often fail to cover medical devices for sports, creating an additional obstacle for people with disabilities who wish to engage in athletic activities.

Heinrich Popow firmly believes that investing in disabled sports can have long-term financial benefits for governments and insurers. As he aptly puts it, “I feel the government and insurers can save a lot of money if they realize paying for disabled sports is better than the bill from a pharmacy. Sports is the best medicine.” This perspective is rooted in his personal experience as a Paralympian and his observations of the positive impact of sports on individuals with disabilities.

Popow draws inspiration from countries like the Netherlands, which have made significant strides in promoting disabled sports. As he notes, “I do running clinics, and I see activity all over the world. The Netherlands is doing a great job. It is the size of the German state of North Rhine Westfalia, and it is more successful than our whole country.” The Netherlands' impressive performance in the 2024 Paralympics, where they finished fourth in the medal table, is a testament to their commitment to disabled sports.

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities, observed annually on December 3, holds significance for Popow, who is a passionate advocate for the rights and well-being of individuals with disabilities. While he acknowledges that the day has become more meaningful to him over time, he also recognizes that its impact is more profound for those who have recently acquired a disability. As Popow humorously remarks, “I forget the day of my marriage sometimes, but this UN day becomes more and more special.” He emphasizes that the acknowledgment of the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities is crucial, and the International Day of Persons with Disabilities serves as an important reminder of the need for greater inclusivity and support.

“I have no restrictions from my disability in my daily life. It is packed with kids, job, and everything, but no further movement is important.”

“But to be honest, and this is something also the (disability) community thinks about, it's more important if we think about disabilities every day, like the awareness we should have every day. A special day is nice, but it is only one step. We need that second and third day,” he says.