The 14th Paralympic commenced on September 7th in Rio de Janerio, Brazil. Throughout 11 days of competition an estimated 4,350 athletes from 173 countries, will contend for the most prestigious medals in their class. Athletes will compete in 20 sports at the largest Paralympics yet.
At the 2016 Paralympics, paracanoe and paratriathlon will be making their Paralympic debut. Despite some challenges in budget and ticket sales Paralympians do not seem to have noticed. Just look at four Paralympians were able to run a faster 1,500 meter race than any able bodied athlete ever. So far (as of 9/12/16) 100 records being broken at this year’s Paralympics alone. Paralympics. As we celebrate these great accomplishments it is always important to remember the Paralympics humble beginnings.
Rome hosted the first ever Paralympics in the summer of 1960. With 400 athletes from 23 countries. the games initially commenced in order to support wounded soldiers returning from World War II. Athletes participated in eight sports that were considered ‘suitable for individuals with spinal cord injuries.’ It was only in 1976 when athletes with other disabilities were included. As the number of disability classifications grew, the world participation doubled and the number of athletes competing tripled.
“I think some people have a discomfort level [with disabled people] because they do not understand the disability and don't know how to react. I think the more opportunities disabled people have to show others what they can do, the more society will be able to become generally comfortable and accepting,” Newtown High School Counseling Secretary Mary Dannen said.
The Paralympics not only display great athletic feats of those impaired but it is also helping change the world view on disability. A real world example of this change is evident in China. Before the 2008 Beijing Olympics, China was not known as a great place to be as a disabled person. Those impaired were seemed mostly disconnected from society. Once China got the bid for the Olympics, it seems as though an effort was made to include disabled people in society. RMB 1 billion (or just over 1.52 million US dollars) was spent on making China more accessible.
“Thanks to the Paralympics, the image of people with a disability in China is no longer one of a garbage-collector, or of a beggar, but of a football player, a long jumper or a shooter.” A Chinese Politician said. (According to the paralympic.org)
Not only do the Paralympics give a platform to the athletes the show their ability, but as more classifications and game adaptations for intellectually impaired athletes are coming to fruition, the acceptance for intellectually disabled people is also growing.
“It is quite inspiring to see how much Unified sports and special Olympics have done to better our society as a whole. It has created unity within our school and world. For anyone who has attended a Unified Sports tournament they will surely be able to tell you how the atmosphere is so positive and inclusive” NHS Junior Silas Decker said.
In ten different disability classifications 267 inspiring Americans will take the biggest sports stage this fall in Rio. Two of those Americans hail from Connecticut. 23 year old Ryan Boyle Is a Monroe native who hopes to add a Paralympic medal to his collection of cycling medals. At ten years old Boyle was hit and dragged by a truck at a friend’s birthday party. Emergency brain surgery was performed on him and he lost half of his brain. He had to learn how to live life over again. He wrote his own book as a freshman in high school and now resides in Georgia when he is not competing on the Paralympics.
After just graduating just school 2 years ago, Avon’s Paralympian Angela Peavy will compete in her first Paralympics this year. After suffering a stroke before birth Peavy is paralyzed on the left side of her body. As a form of therapy she started horse dressage and found her passion. This year she is looking for her first Paralympic medal at age 20.
It is obvious that Paralympian’s have overcome so much. It is time to sit back and watch the games unfold and watch as they show the world what they are capable of. In the end, NHS junior Jacklyn O'Leary may offer the best summation, “You're disabilities do not define you, everyone is equal even with their disabilities”
Image Courtesy of saharareporterssport.com