Paralympics...

[SwingSlow]

Went to the opening ceremony last night - didn't get all of the references, but great atmosphere - reception for Team GB fantastic. Some of the competitors narrowly missed out on being in the Olympic teams, now doing brilliantly in these games. Truly inspiring to see what these athletes are achieving with a lot less funding than the Olympic teams.

 

[6inchcup]

Went to the opening ceremony last night - didn't get all of the references, but great atmosphere - reception for Team GB fantastic. Some of the competitors narrowly missed out on being in the Olympic teams, now doing brilliantly in these games. Truly inspiring to see what these athletes are achieving with a lot less funding than the Olympic teams.

to be fair to our competitors they are very well funded and have some of the best facilities in the world compared to a lot of the nations competing,some of the disabilities don't seem to interfere with what they are competing in,like the cyclist who was a top cyclist prior to losing a hand or the rower who has a damaged foot,we seem to have a big advantage over the other up and coming nations that seem to just send anyone who is disabled along irrespective of how good at a sport they are and seem happy to compete or in plain english happy to be alive and being there,why has winning against other disabled people become a noble ambition?

 

[AmandaJR]

What a great day. Was surprised how choked and humbled I felt by the truly amazing athletes and spent the 3 hours trying not to cry. The atmosphere was amazing throughout and yes a bit louder when a GB swimmer competed but every single athlete was cheered loudly and especially those trailing home last.

The Olympic Park is stunning and the travel and movement through London (Javelin Trains!) and the park itself was very, very organised.

The only huge queue was for McDonalds and the Olympic Megastore - not sure what that says about the country but it's not positive!!

 

[6inchcup]

What a great day. Was surprised how choked and humbled I felt by the truly amazing athletes and spent the 3 hours trying not to cry. The atmosphere was amazing throughout and yes a bit louder when a GB swimmer competed but every single athlete was cheered loudly and especially those trailing home last.

The Olympic Park is stunning and the travel and movement through London (Javelin Trains!) and the park itself was very, very organised.

The only huge queue was for McDonalds and the Olympic Megastore - not sure what that says about the country but it's not positive!!

i am sorry you feel like that AMANDAJR but the plain fact is not a lot of people are bothered about these games,ours is the only country giving it wall to wall coverage in the USA they aren't even showing any of it,i feel uneasy about watching a sporting activity that makes me feel patronising towards those that participate and i feel more sorry for their disability than any feeling of inspiration,i always have the question in the back of my mind that if you asked them would they sooner be at home watching fully fit or there and being disabled and is it not like a freak show from the victorian times when all those that were able bodied looked on in pity.

 

[AmandaJR]

i am sorry you feel like that AMANDAJR but the plain fact is not a lot of people are bothered about these games,ours is the only country giving it wall to wall coverage in the USA they aren't even showing any of it,i feel uneasy about watching a sporting activity that makes me feel patronising towards those that participate and i feel more sorry for their disability than any feeling of inspiration,i always have the question in the back of my mind that if you asked them would they sooner be at home watching fully fit or there and being disabled and is it not like a freak show from the victorian times when all those that were able bodied looked on in pity.

I'm not sure what you mean but I felt neither patronising nor pitying and far from uneasy at watching superb athletes compete.

 

[JustOne]

I have mixed emotions about the whole thing and probably won't watch much, if at all. Kudos to ANYONE fit or disabled who furthers themself via sport but apart from the elite sportsmen it doesn't make for great viewing imo. Rather like watching division 3 football rather than Champions league.

 

[rickg]

Been at the excel all day watching the judo, Powerlifting, sitting volleyball and table tennis......having a great time.......GB team on the Volleyball court at 9pm.....go team GB!!

Got athletics tickets for Sunday....thats the one i'm really looking forward to...

 

[AmandaJR]

to be fair to our competitors they are very well funded and have some of the best facilities in the world compared to a lot of the nations competing,some of the disabilities don't seem to interfere with what they are competing in,like the cyclist who was a top cyclist prior to losing a hand or the rower who has a damaged foot,we seem to have a big advantage over the other up and coming nations that seem to just send anyone who is disabled along irrespective of how good at a sport they are and seem happy to compete or in plain english happy to be alive and being there,why has winning against other disabled people become a noble ambition?

It's competitive sport and yes winning is important so why deny that to anyone - able bodied or not? Should we deny disabled athletes the platform to perform because it's not "noble" to want to be the best and therefore beat other disabled athletes?

I have mixed emotions about the whole thing and probably won't watch much, if at all. Kudos to ANYONE fit or disabled who furthers themself via sport but apart from the elite sportsmen it doesn't make for great viewing imo. Rather like watching division 3 football rather than Champions league.

I was similar to this tbh and main motive was seeing the Olympic Park but that did all change once I saw the swimmers regardless of who they were and their nationality. They are stunningly stylish and quick despite their disabilities.

Been at the excel all day watching the judo, Powerlifting, sitting volleyball and table tennis......having a great time.......GB team on the Volleyball court at 9pm.....go team GB!!

Got athletics tickets for Sunday....thats the one i'm really looking forward to...

Enjoy

 

[rickg]

my missus just heard she's got tickets to the closing ceremony....her mate is taking her......Coldplay playing live as well...well jel.......

 

[PhilTheFragger]

We went to the Stadium yesterday evening and saw the evening athletics events, real buzz about the place and the "Games Helpers" were saying that there were as many people attending as came to the Olympics themselves.

I can see the previous points concerning "freak shows" , but honestly its not like that, its a very pure and honest form of sport , Agreed the performances are not up to "Olympic Standards" But thats not what we go to see,

We went because these people have stories, they have made the best of their lot and are an inspiration to everyone

S**t happens in life, its how you deal with it that defines an individual

you should have heard the roar that went up when Hannah Cockcroft won the Gold in the 100m wheelchair race
Usain Bolt would have been happy to have that crowd behind him

The Paralympics are here to stay, I just hope that Rio does the job next time round

Going again on Monday when we are in the Pool,

Cant Wait

Fragger

 

[wrighty1874]

Watching the ladies wheelchair basketball, and seeing them pick themselves up after capsizing, made me realise the fairies that compete in the pro football leagues. Landing on their hands ,arms and with their full body weight and chair on top of them,they get up with a smile on their face and get on with it. No histrionics,screwed up faces. i'm despising these footballers with a passion.

 

[palindromicbob]

Awe inspiring is certainly one way to describe the paralympics. Makes me feel like such an arse when I complain about pain in my left knee affecting my swing after I watch them.

 

[drawboy]

I agree wholeheartedly with these sentiments. I'd love any premier league player to take one...just one rugby League tackle. They are fairies, they'll have a fortnight off with a broken flask.

 

[rickg]

Best seats in the house tonight at the athletics!!!....it ain't half hot by this bloody cauldron!!!

 

[full_throttle]

Rick, I see the fashion police are still conspicuous by their absence

 

[SyR]

Best seats in the house tonight at the athletics!!!....it ain't half hot by this bloody cauldron!!!

We were sat very close to there for the Olympics. You get a great view on the finish line. We went again today for the morning session in the stadium. It was a fantastic atmosphere and great to see a British Gold and Silver being won.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I don't see the paralympians as any form of freak show and just see them as athletes competing in their own field alongside fellow competitors. I love the fact hey are producing PB's world and olympic records in their chosen discipline. I think it is more to do with the poor coverage (in comparison to the superb BBC effort) and the fact I'm unfamiliar with the athletes etc. I do admire each and every athlete at these games for finding a strength and resiliance I don't think I'd have to face up to their disability and turn it into sucha positive thing.

 

[Mark_G]

I have watched a lot of these games and feel inspired by these great athletes, I am truly amazed at their performances, but when you watch them, very quickly their physical issues are forgotten and the competition takes over. Although very few of the competitors are familiar to me, and the coverage due to adverts and a rather patchy presentation style is not the best, I am being introduced to some cracking athletes and being educated on all things Paralympic. Entertainment and competition at its best, it most certainly is.

 

[wrighty1874]

Just watched David Weir winning the 5000 metres wheelchair race. What a race.

 

[6inchcup]

heard on the news that the winner of a race and new world record has been demoted to bronze and second place moved up because the winner was less disabled than the second place,how the hell does that work????