I've no issue with the Paralympic Game concept,, but I struggle to watch it as it not very competitive, especially on a domestic level. Partly due to the lack of athletes, secondly the manipulation of the categories.
Yes, I do admire them and will look in. But it's not truly similar from my point of view and will not be a particular priority for me.
I think it very much depends on the event i keep an eye on the Brits and the more games that pass it tends to be getting more competitive... I do get though that at times you have 4 people racing! I remember that because last games they weren't giving bronze to 3rd if there were 4 entrance... but there are some stacked events the blade runners for example are cool and wildly competitive.
I think it very much depends on the event i keep an eye on the Brits and the more games that pass it tends to be getting more competitive... I do get though that at times you have 4 people racing! I remember that because last games they weren't giving bronze to 3rd if there were 4 entrance... but there are some stacked events the blade runners for example are cool and wildly competitive.
Yes, I really don't watch these Games either - as paulisi says, I find what you read about the categories a bit troubling (i've said similar things about the tennis too) - but the blade runners are definitely cool
Just by the by, I went to an exhibtion once at the V&A - can't remember what the overall title of it was but there was one large room dedicate to prosethtics and blades. They were proper medically approved equipment, for sale and use - and they were amazing !
The 'girly' ones were really arty - they had blades of multi-colours and intricate fretwork sections, so they looked like lace; and one really pretty one covered in daisies (I like daisies ) and a black shiny one with lots of Swarovski crystals. The idea was that women/girls were buying several different ones - a daytime blade, a clubbing blade, a posh party blade, a summer blade - like fashion accessories. Quite beautiful.
There were less for men (not because they're not into fashion but because they're usually wearing long trousers, so not quite so relevant)
That's pretty cool! I enjoy my motor racing and watched a program on billy monger trying blades... it's so so hard to control it I have a lot of admiration for the blade runners and as there's more about the competition is good so very similar feelings.
I just heard on the radio that a British runner completed the marathon having broke her leg at the beginning of it. 1. How do you break a leg running the marathon? 2. How on earth can you run a marathon with a broken leg?
I just heard on the radio that a British runner completed the marathon having broke her leg at the beginning of it. 1. How do you break a leg running the marathon? 2. How on earth can you run a marathon with a broken leg?
It was a stress fracture rather than a full break. She still ran sub 2:50 on a tough course.
I just heard on the radio that a British runner completed the marathon having broke her leg at the beginning of it. 1. How do you break a leg running the marathon? 2. How on earth can you run a marathon with a broken leg?
It was a stress fracture rather than a full break. She still ran sub 2:50 on a tough course.
Obviously I realise the overall standard of the paralympics is nowhere near the depth or heights of the Olympics and enjoy the Olympics so much. But the paralympics are still enjoyable to me, and I like to see our athletes do well. The standard does indeed vary wildly and some events are quite weak. I guess the categories are hard to get right and satisfy all needs and disabilities out there. Once outside the open category we see at the able bodied level, how do you pin down all the different types of disability that exist and compare one with another on a fair level? Tennis just has two disability categories in the paralympics, wheelchair and quad wheelchair. The wheelchair basically includes anyone that wouldnt be able to compete in able bodied open tennis and, as has been pointed out, includes a broad spectrum, including people who dont live their lives in wheelchairs when not competing. So I get that people find it uncomfortable and harder to get behind.
What is most important, to me, is that the players truly give it their all and have a commitment and desire to win that is admirable, and I find it a consequently exciting event to follow.
Ps i love the blade runners also, although it is ironic that the most famous one of all ended up being a murderer and spending his best athletic years in prison.