Paralympics...

[AmandaJR]

Having repeatedly missed out on tickets for the games we have finally got some for the Aquatics Centre on Friday. Can't wait to see the Olympic Park and some excellent, awe-inspiring athletes

 

[bladeplayer]

Mother & father in law are over for it , HID's cousin is representing Ireland in table tennis .. they very excited about seeing it aswell , Enjoy the experience

 

[Imurg]

Watched the Torch Relay through Aylesbury last night - very good to see decent crowds out. Not as many as the other Relay but still a lot of people to cheer them on.
Very humbling to see what some of these guys and gals can do with fewer limbs and senses than I've got.

 

[Rooter]

if there is only one sport you watch of the paralympics, make it the rugby. oh my god its brutal!! it looks awesome!!

 

[AmandaJR]

if there is only one sport you watch of the paralympics, make it the rugby. oh my god its brutal!! it looks awesome!!

Agreed. That and the basketball - those guys are hard as nails. Still checking for tickets for other events to make a real day of it if we can.

I used to swim alot and a local girl made the team for Beijing. A truly stunning swimmer and I watched her for a while before it dawned on me that she had a disability and her right hand was missing.

 

[ADB]

Having grown up near Stoke Mandeville I can remember the Paralympic Games in 1984 which were held in the area - it was some of the most inspiring and uplifting sporting memories I have. Back then you could wander around seeing all the disciplines but the ones that left the greatest impression on me were the basketball (fastastically skillfull and exciting!), the powerlifting, tennis and swimming. It is amazing to think how far the competition has come and I am sure these Games will be a triumph with a record-breaking GB medal haul.

 

[6inchcup]

didn't take much notice of the proper ones so not interested in this,just heard the torch is running over 21/2 hours late and they will be using a spare to light the cauldron!!!!! apparently some were taking to long to get from A to B doesn't bode well for the organisation then,i have never understood why we have these games as even the type of disability is put into groups so some are less disabled as others and games are just invented for them to participate in,still hope it all goes well.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

We are going to the Stadium for athletics on Friday evening
and to the Aquatics centre on Monday Morning

Really looking forward to it

Fragger

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

...and remember paralympics has nothing to do with paraplegics and a lot to do with parallel

 

[HomerJSimpson]

It seems I'm in a minority then but I can't get excited about it. Maybe because I don't know the athletes as well or some of the sports they play but it isn't getting me interested. Still hope Team GB has a stellar games though

 

[Neddy]

Have the utmost respect for the paralympic athletes and what they have gone through to get to where they are....but like Homer can't seem to get excited about it.

 

[Hobbit]

I'll be there for some of the athletics finals a week on Saturday. Looking forward to it.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

I watched the film about Sir Ludwig Guttmann and there was a line when he is explaining to a depresed young soldier that was never going to walk again.

'Well, did you expect to make your plans for life and it would all go to order'

Very true for a lot of us I would think.

 

[Snelly]

It seems I'm in a minority then but I can't get excited about it.

I am exactly the same about it Homer. I hope it is a brilliant event for all involved but I haven't the slightest interest in it which I genuinely feel bad about but can't help it - just does not get me excited from any perspective.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

I was involved in the BASLA golf championships for a few years.
All wonderful examples of men and women overcoming adversity.
The difference with able body sports is that the disabled athletes have so many different categories that it seems to dilute the overall results.
It would be like having weight categories for the able bodied 100 metres.

 

[MegaSteve]

Been to a few wheelchair rugby events/matches... If you like to watch sport played hard and fast this is the one to see... Utterly brutal!

Also, last year went to an amputee footie event... Absolutely ruddy brilliant... Sadly not an Olympic sport though... Having a drinkie or three with them afterwards... One said "cheaper for me to get legless these days Steve<wink>!"...

 

[Doon frae Troon]

One of the BASLA golfers was a young Swede.
He was a left leg hip amputee [played left handed]
He played off 2 handicap and hit the ball miles. Drove the 300 yard 7th and hit the green in two on the 530 yard 12th.

One of the members polietly asked how with his disability he could generate so much power.
'I tend to play most of my shots off my right foot', he replied

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I think the key to enjoying paralympic sport is to watch it 'as it is'.

So if it's wheelchair basketball - ignore or try and forget the fact that the guys are in wheelchairs for whatever reason, and just think of it as a ball game that you do belting around in little four wheel carriages (how cool does that sound). Sprinting - imagine guys and gals with technological enhancements - one step to the $6million dollar man - forget why they might have that enhancement. Swimming - just enjoy the race - the competition - folk busting a gut and lung to win a race.

 

[wrighty1874]

i've been watching all afternoon and evening. Absolutely amazing athletes.An armless swimmer winning gold and WR to boot.Utmost respect to them all.

 

[AmandaJR]

i've been watching all afternoon and evening. Absolutely amazing athletes.An armless swimmer winning gold and WR to boot.Utmost respect to them all.

The backstrokers holding onto the side with a towel in their teeth and then butterfly kicking the whole race - amazing stuff.