Radio host Kyle Sandilands is facing backlash including calls for him to be fired after he insensitively described the 2020 Paralympics on air.
Sandilands who is known for saying exactly what he thinks, has landed himself in hot water after he referred to the Paralympics as, the “Special Olympics.”
On his show, The Kyle & Jackie O Show, Sandilands decided to share with listeners his thoughts on the games after watching a few events.
Sandilands said: “Some poor bloke ran for the high jump and veered right because he was blind and landed on his arse on the ground.
“And when they were playing soccer, the blind people, I was thinking ‘are you joking’ they’re throwing themselves on the ground like sausages to block the ball.”
Sandilands said, “I love the spirit of the contest,” but summed the event up as a “big effort.”
His insensitive comments haven’t gone unnoticed, particularly by Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John, who has called for Sandilands to be fired over the incident.
The Senator told news.com.au, “Kyle’s comments are abhorrent, ignorant and ableist.
“He has a long history of espousing hate and these comments are hurtful to disabled people. He needs to pull his head in and apologise to our athletes and the disability community.
“There is no place for ableism in our community, and these comments are the latest example of why Kyle should be sacked from his broadcasting roles.”
The Senator also took to Twitter to share his thoughts.
Why are disabled people's experiences a joke to you @kyleandjackieo? Why do you find our existence so funny? How dare you mock us. #Paralympics https://t.co/yulictZP8m
— Senator Jordon Steele-John (@SenatorJordon) September 2, 2021
Similarly, Australian Paralympian Geoff Trappett took to Twitter to call the radio host out.
Happy to volunteer to come on the show so you can tell it to a #Paralympics athletes face @kyleandjackieo The punchline can punch back. #DisabilityTwitter 'Kyle Sandilands brands Paralympics ‘horrific’ live on air on KIIS FM' https://t.co/CEArLecQ5Y via @newscomauHQ @Moosk
— Geoff Trappett OAM (@InclusionMoves) September 2, 2021
Naturally, lots of people took to Twitter to weigh in.
Kyle Sandilands is a stupid heartless person.
Definitely he should be sacked over his atrocious on-air comments about the ParaOlympians @KISSFMAustralia https://t.co/CqJzfrIQuT— 💧Linda McAvenna (@LinnyAMcA) September 2, 2021
https://twitter.com/queerdorito/status/1433308531994738694
https://twitter.com/Bob64St/status/1433271656835780609
And a change.org petition has even be created to have Sandilands fired over his comments.
Sandilands has yet to comment on the backlash.
