The coronavirus pandemic has been affecting the employment of athletes aiming for the Tokyo Paralympics, which are less than six months away. Some athletes have lost their jobs because their contracts were not renewed due to the one-year postponement of the Games, so some sports organizations are trying to improve athletes' job skills, keeping their disabilities in mind, to help them find employment.
-- Balancing training with work
"I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to compete," said Keiichi Sato, who aims to compete in the men's para-triathlon at the Tokyo Paralympics.
In April last year, Sato was told by his employer that his contract would not be renewed. Originally, his contract was supposed to expire at the end of September after the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.
Since the Games were postponed for a year, Sato asked his employer to extend his contract, but his request was denied. The company's performance had dramatically deteriorated due the pandemic.
Sato was born without a left hand. He competes in cross-country skiing and the biathlon in addition to the triathlon, and competed in the previous four Summer and Winter Paralympic Games. Soon after his contract expired, Sato looked for a job but came up against a harsh reality.
Equipment suited to the needs of Paralympic athletes is expensive. In Sato's case, the total amounts to about 8 million yen a year, including the costs of buying and repairing his bike and wetsuit for the triathlon, skiing equipment and travel expenses so he can participate in competitions.
During his search for work, Sato told potential employers about his desires and how they include such cost burdens. However, as many companies are experiencing a decline in business, he had to meet with more than 100 firms.
Finally, he found a job with the Japanese arm of U.S.-based IT company Salesforce.com, Inc. at the end of January.
While Sato could concentrate on sports at his previous company, he now has to train around his work, which involves such tasks as customer support.
"I felt that it is difficult for Paralympic athletes to land a job, unless they can provide concrete advantages of hiring them amid the pandemic. At my new company, I have to train by balancing training and work," Sato said.
-- 30% drop in employment
There has been an increasing impact on Paralympic athletes' employment. Since last spring when the Games were postponed, Tsunahiro World Co., a Tokyo-based firm that mediates between disabled athletes and businesses, has had several athletes who had their contracts terminated ask it for advice. A business hiring such athletes contacted the company, saying, "We want to stop recruiting because we are reviewing our hiring plan."
Last year, 27 people found jobs through the company's mediation, which was 30% fewer than the previous year.
"We will work with companies in industries less affected by the pandemic, such as the IT industry, to help disabled athletes find employment," said company president Kei Takeuchi.
-- Contributing to companies
Some organizations have started trying to improve the job skills of Paralympic athletes.
The Japan Blind Football Association will hold lectures this spring and invite people with visual impairments who work in various fields at companies and colleges to help visually impaired soccer players acquire the skills they need to work without hindrance. The association plans to hold 15 to 20 lectures and participants will learn practical skills, such as how to understand the contents of business documents by using screen reading software and other tools, and how to participate in online meetings.
"We would like to support them so they can play a role in their companies after being hired," a senior official of the association said.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
