Best Paralympic sport ...
- Thread starter Theseus
- Start date
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I'm completely bowled over and amazed by the Para Olympians. If anyone had told me there was blind football I wouldn't have believed them. Watching the swimmers with no arms or one leg etc or the dressage competitors with cerebral palsy and many other disabled athletes from all over the world competing at this level is just so so brilliant.
Dangermouse
MousePower
I,m enjoying everything the athletes are really shining
ceepeebee
Veteran
- Location
- Some imaginary Flanders
the guys last night doing the high jump on one leg were nothing short of incredible.
Mad Doug Biker
Banned from every bar in the Galaxy
- Location
- Craggy Island
Goalball is worth watching too, as is the sitting volleyball.
Out of all the sports I've actually seen at the 'Lympics so far, these 2 have been my favourite, although the horses in the Equestrian events are absolutely gorgeous, so I might have to modify my view somewhat (I also saw Britain win 2 golds at it it today!).
Its the road cycling at Brands Hatch tomorrow, so another early start for me!
I don't want to be over critical about something when I don't know the facts but why is the USA down at 6th place in the Para Olympic medal table?
Is it just too early in the games and they have their strong events to come or is it something else like they don't have that many people with disabilities?
It would appear as not a very good advert for USA if it remains like this as all other major sporting countries seem to be placed at or around their standings in the Olympic games.
As I said, I don't know the facts other than their population is about 10 times ours and they are currently 6th, so what gives?
Is it just too early in the games and they have their strong events to come or is it something else like they don't have that many people with disabilities?
It would appear as not a very good advert for USA if it remains like this as all other major sporting countries seem to be placed at or around their standings in the Olympic games.
As I said, I don't know the facts other than their population is about 10 times ours and they are currently 6th, so what gives?
MrJamie
Oaf on a Bike
I haven't watched a lot of it yet, but I liked the cycling, swimming and athletics. Some of the sports and athletes really amaze me, but others I dont really have a clue how tough the competition would be.
I thought the same and asked my dad about the USA on the medal table at the weekend and neither of us had an answer why the USA was so doing so badly. I wondered if there was any parallel to be drawn from their extremes of rich and poverty, or maybe a cultural thing in terms of less merit considered from paralympic achievements.
Yeah, that Chinese swimmer with no arms, Jeng i think his name was, was amazing.
I thought the same and asked my dad about the USA on the medal table at the weekend and neither of us had an answer why the USA was so doing so badly. I wondered if there was any parallel to be drawn from their extremes of rich and poverty, or maybe a cultural thing in terms of less merit considered from paralympic achievements.
growingvegetables
Guru
- Location
- Leeds
What's stood out for me is the number of athletes who've excelled in one sport and won medals last time or the time before ... and then swapped sports and won a whole new batch.
laurence
Veteran
- Location
- in the aeroplane over the sea
the cycling - i was in awe as a chinese man with one leg went faster than i have ever gone. on the bike you hardly notice the disability, then you see the riders trying to walk and you realise the extent of their disability. (wo)man and machine in perfect harmony was never more apt than at the paralympics.
the long jump - i was right next to the competition last week and it was incredible. the athletes were great and they seemed to actually like and respect each other.
archery - ok, archery in a wheelchair isn't that drastic, but then one guy came out with no arms and proceeded to hold the bow with his foot and release the arrow with his mouth. he won silver.
just got home from watching wheelchair basketball and it was brilliant.
wheelchair fencing tomorrow and swimming and (more) athletics on friday.
i've stopped noticing the disabilities now and just enjoy the sport and competition.
the long jump - i was right next to the competition last week and it was incredible. the athletes were great and they seemed to actually like and respect each other.
archery - ok, archery in a wheelchair isn't that drastic, but then one guy came out with no arms and proceeded to hold the bow with his foot and release the arrow with his mouth. he won silver.
just got home from watching wheelchair basketball and it was brilliant.
wheelchair fencing tomorrow and swimming and (more) athletics on friday.
i've stopped noticing the disabilities now and just enjoy the sport and competition.
Canrider
Guru
A quick glance at the current standings suggests that apart from GB, China and Russia, nearly no country has matching performances across both suites of events, whether that be the (apparent) Paralympic powerhouses of Brazil (Para 7th, Olymp 22nd) and Nigeria (Para 12th, Olymp NO MEDALS), or the Devil-take-the-hindmost Italians (Para 23rd , Olymp 8th) or Hungarians (Para 29th , Olymp 9th).
Mad Doug Biker
Banned from every bar in the Galaxy
- Location
- Craggy Island
If you are watching the Road Cycling today and tomorrow, then look out for a guy in a Cyclechat Jersey, The Nessie Hat and a Rubber Duck (don't ask)!!
And if you see the aforementioned guy in a Cyclechat Jersey, come and say hello!
And if you see the aforementioned guy in a Cyclechat Jersey, come and say hello!
