Arthur Tunstall was roundly criticized Wednesday by organizers, disabled athletes and even his own countrymen after his remarks were reported on the day before the Games were officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II.
"It's got to be an embarrassment because people are going out of their way to assist them and the abled people are a little bit embarrassed to have them around," Tunstall said.
While competitors and officials continued to arrive Wednesday, it became the hot issue of the day.
Even the Queen's son, Prince Edward, was asked about it but declined comment.
Others, including George Heller, president of the Victoria Commonwealth Games Society, did, however.
"Arthur Tunstall does not represent the majority of Australians, and this is embarrassing for him to say," Heller told a news conference. "He's in a minority of one. These athletes are far from being an embarrassment. They are an inspiration to all of us to get on with our lives."
Helene Simard, a broadcaster and member of the Canadian team that won the basketball title at the 1992 Paralympics, said she was shocked by Tunstall's comments.
"He's back in the '20s. This is 1994," she said. "He should get with the times."
Tunstall eventually came up with a statement in which he apologized but also said his earlier comment had been taken out of context.
Apart from being the first major event to integrate able-bodied and disabled athletes, the 15th Commonwealth Games is remarkable for including another group of competitors: South Africa has returned after an absence of 36 years. It's 112-member team is integrated.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.