Athlete Brad Snyder, a blind triathlon competitor, featured in controversial Paralympics TikTok clip hits back at people who slammed content as 'depraved' over 'mocking' sound effects - and insists it's a 'brilliant' idea.
Outrage sparked over controversial Paralympic videos featuring 'meme' sounds. READ MORE:An athlete featured in the Paralympics' controversial promotional material that has been dubbed 'offensive' by some has hit back at the criticism and insisted he is no victim.
In one of many unusual videos, Brad is seen reaching his hands out in attempt to find his bike before a race. The clip is paired with a piece of Beethoven music, as though it were Brad playing the piano to the tune. In the clip, which Brad consented to, is seen being helped by his guide to reach the handlebars of his bike.
He said: 'I think that the account is brilliant in a variety of ways, and the proof is sort of in the pudding. … Thirty, 40, 50, 60 million people are taking a look at the Paralympics specifically and now are interested in engaging with something that has really struggled to find a major footing around the world.'
'Our athlete community is saying: ‘This is perfect. This is who we are. We have a laugh. We’ve got a great sense of humor, and we love to compete,' he added.
'On the one hand I'm shocked that the Paralympics is getting millions of views and that means eyes on the Paralympics, but are they the right eyes? One clip shows footage of a Paralympian swimmer hitting his head against the wall of the pool while swimming backwards. The controversial clips on the Paralympic accounts have drawn attention from a number of new viewers, after raking in 250,000 new followers in the last two weeks.
And the team behind the controversial social media strategy have revealed that they intended to divide people's opinions in order to drive engagement to the page. However, those who believe the clips have gone too far are unwavering in their outrage as they slam what they say is 'insensitivity' from the team and its strategy.
Speaking to FEMAIL, disabled business owner Amelia Peckham, co-founder of Cool Crutches & Walking Sticks, said: 'If there's one thing I've learnt since acquiring my disability in 2006 it's that the disabled community has a great sense of humour but this style of marketing is only ok if it's been created in partnership with the individuals it features.'
However, not ever video posted on the channel is has meme audio attached, with other, less 'borderline' content revealing an playful side inoffensivelyThough he insisted that viewers should be amused with the athletes rather than by them, an aim which appears to have missed the mark with many of its spectators.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
GB athlete had to cover up Olympic ring tattoo at Paralympics after being disqualified over itThe athlete was disqualified from the European Championships and was forced to cover up for the Paralympics.
Read more »
I'm A Paralympic Athlete, This Is What You Have Been Getting Wrong About The ParalympicsHuffPost UK spoke exclusively with paralympic athlete Stef Reid.
Read more »
Paralympics 2024 athlete vanishes in Paris days before opening ceremony as inquest opened into ‘worrying d...Watch The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games on Channel 4
Read more »
A trans athlete qualified for the Paralympics - the reaction was vileThe treatment of Valentina just proves again that transgender people like me still face extreme levels of stigma and exclusion from society.
Read more »
Paralympics athlete vanishes in Paris before opening ceremony as inquest opened into ‘worrying disappearance’A Paralympic athlete disappeared prior to Wednesday's opening ceremony, it has been reported.
Read more »
'This account is unhinged': Paralympics TikTok account divides opinion with 'deeply unserious' videosThe official Paralympics TikTok page has come under fire over its “edgy” social media posts, after some users branded the content 'condescending and disrespectful' to people with disabilities.
Read more »