The São Paulo Public Prosecutor's Office (MP-SP) has formally accepted a complaint and opened an inquiry into Mauro Roberto Chekin, the Municipal Secretary of Sport, Leisure and Youth for São Caetano do Sul. The investigation will examine allegations of institutional ableism and discriminatory remarks made by the official against people with disabilities.
The complaint was filed by federal deputy Sâmia Bomfim and city councilwoman Bruna Biondi, both from the PSOL party. It centers on statements Chekin made during a public hearing at the São Caetano do Sul City Council on April 29, 2026. During the session, the secretary referred to the inclusion of people with disabilities in sports as a "problem" and stated he "cannot" work with this public.
Chekin's specific comments highlighted perceived difficulties, citing challenges with autistic individuals and recounting a case of a mother seeking to enroll her daughter, who uses diapers, in swimming classes. He expressed personal reluctance, sharing an anecdote from his own education where he decided he did not want to work in that capacity, describing his own "psychological and physical condition" as too "fragile" for such work.
The secretary further stated that while inclusion is a duty of the State, it is not his personal duty, and he cannot compel professionals to work in that area. His remarks were met with immediate rebuttal from Councilwoman Biondi, who argued that providing inclusive services is a fundamental part of the profession and a legal obligation for public employees, equating refusal to do so with discrimination.
The fallout has been significant. The Brazilian Ministry of Sports issued a strong statement of repudiation, labeling the comments as "deeply ableist" and incompatible with constitutional principles. The ministry announced it would make institutional contact with the São Caetano do Sul city government to offer technical guidance and materials on inclusion.
The Brazilian Paralympic Committee also condemned the statements as "discriminatory and inadmissible," emphasizing that inclusion is a constitutional and civilizational commitment. The committee notably pointed out that São Caetano do Sul has a historical connection to the national Paralympic movement, having served as a training hub for Brazilian Paralympic athletics and swimming teams.
In response, the São Caetano do Sul city government stated it has a "historic commitment" to inclusive public policies, citing recent investments and the inauguration of a new inclusion complex. The administration acknowledged that "the agenda of inclusion requires constant evolution" and that "errors, although unforgivable, are understandable given the complexity and importance of this agenda."
Based on reporting from g1.