I am a bit surprised that there has been no Topic for the Paralympics like there was for the Olympics given it all started Wednesday this week.
So, I thought I would start one.
I very much enjoy both the Olympics and Paralympics. Both events showing great sport.
It is so far showing how far the competitors are improving given the frequency of event and World records that are being broken.
I am looking forward to seeing the great David Weir compete tonight. What a competitor, his first Paralympics was in Atlanta in 1996 aged 17 and although his form has been far from the dominance in 2012 he seems to be on very good form for Paris so a medal is not out of the question. Go the Weir Wolf!
I have also been watching the Paralympics and so far have been very impressed, The Last Leg @ 9:30 is a great light-hearted summary of the day’s events.
I am totally in awe of the athletes and their competitive spirit, being even more in awe of their respect for each other, true sports person-ship that often isn’t seen in many able-bodied sports.
We watched Patrick Wilson beat William Arnott in the men’s Boccia preliminaries last Thursday. One of our students has played against Wilson. He roped me in as his ramp spotter in a game that afternoon. Great fun.
I like the sports unique or unusual to the Paralympics. I like the track wheelchair events it quite exciting to watch and I can’t help think of Ben Hur and the chariot racing.
I like hand cycling too I have followed Alex Zanardi’s progress in the sport after his terrible crash in Indy car racing (also ex f1 driver) that destroyed his legs and nearly took his life. One would forgive him for retiring after that and a quiet life at home but it is hard to destroy the competitive spirit and he has been a very successful winning 4 golds and 2 silver medals at 2 Paralympics. He would be competing still but for a very unfortunate accident crashing into a truck when racing.
The Paralympic athletes are just trying to fulfil their full potential and compete. I think the very definition of sport and sports people. The Paralympic President summed it up well saying the “Paralympians were not there to take part but to compete”
I like watching the last leg on Channel 4 (UK for those elsewhere) it can be hilarious and it’s great to see the lighter side of things and people not taking themselves too seriously.
The GB team is indeed doing well Sunday was a great day with 12 golds and a total of 15 medals added to the total overall.
I think it does reflect the UK’s positive attitude and it has been building since 2012.
Of course, success takes more than a positive attitude. Elite athletes cost a lot of money to train and equip, regardless of whether they are able-bodied or Paralympic. The UK Para athletes are getting the same or similar equipment now. For instance, the bikes used in the velodrome are the same as the ones used in the Olympics.
What a spectacle and feast of sport the Paralympics has been with so many great performances like the Paris Olympics the Paris Paralympics has delivered.
It has gone by quickly and it’s a bit sad it’s over. There has been some great performances and none more impressive than Sarah Storey winning her 19th Gold medal. She has been competing since 1992, first swimming then moving to cycling and at 46 in Paris won the cycling road race.
Elena Congost. I just watched the clip and she doesn’t even lose contact. What an absolute farce that she gets disqualified. This does nothing for paralympics.