[Closed] Paralympics - anyone else really looking forward to it?

Me...should be good! That film on telly the other night about how they started was superb as well...
Those paralympians are proper hard!!! And could give most able bodied people a lesson in determination and hard graft..
I used to ride with a GB hand cyclist and he could destroy me on a ride....

Yeah, mainly for the reasons cited above. Some of those guys come across as incredibly tough. That documentary on the basketballs players was shocking, they get beaten up seriously in every match. It's awe-inspiring.

It's always superb IMO. We have tickets for nearly every session in the velodrome and 2 for wheelchair basketball. I agree with the TV slogan - "Meet the superhumans"
I might see if there's any other tickets going still, actually.

I might see if there's any other tickets going still, actually.

I was thinking this.

Loved the Olympics, love the Paralympics - the drama doc from BBC2 should be required viewing at schools.

Me! The athletes are amazing - just shows what can be done with the right attitude.

I`ve tickets for myself and the kids for the swimming next week,so looking forward to it very much.

Liz Johnson is quite nice 8)

I wish I could go and live in the Olympic Park for the duration and watch everything. Inspirational athletes.

Going to watch some of the equestrian (I volunteer for the RDA teaching kids to ride), basketball and have an evening session watching athletics.

Really wanted to watch the rugby, swimming and archery too.

got a paralympian who trains down the gym in the mornings with me, his guide dog is one of my favourite dogs. harder in mind, body and spirit than anyone else who uses the gym by a long way!

Nope, none whatsoever. I remember a few years ago on radio 5 a prominent sports journalist said something about the Paralympics that has an element of truth but very few would admit to, I was surprised to hear it but I kind of agree. That there is an element of pity that able bodied people feel whilst watching disabled athletes, there but for the grace of god and all that...

🙄 here we go...
You're such a ray of sunshine.... 😕

That there is an element of pity that able bodied people feel whilst watching disabled athletes, there but for the grace of god and all that...

Mind reader, eh? I feel humbled and inspired by them.

I have tickets for the rowing next saturday, and am really looking forward to it.

I'm looking forward to Channel 4 stopping incessantly hammering the same commercials for the Paralympics. Has put me off watching it at all, frankly. All channel 4 shows I watch now recorded for later viewing.

But then wasn't looking forward to the Olympics either.

Have you thought its because your just naturally a (no offence) miserable bugger... It's ok if you are, but try look on the bright side now and then...
And wash that mingling pillowcase... Proper eeeewwwwww.....

I'm sure it'll be 'inspirational' and all that, but a lot of people will watch it and feel sorry for many of the participants.

And btw, the pillowcase is clean, just discoloured, not going to let the cats sleep on the good ones...

On Pity. I watched this chap last night

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I've ridden horses. I found it quite demanding on your legs and core.

For him to master, beat able-bodied riders at national level on a horse thats broke his back (last year) is amazing. He has 5% muscle in his legs and no hes not strapped to the horse either.

Edited because loddriks a big (miserable) softy really I reckon... 😉

I'm not knocking the participants, they are very admirable for their triumphs over adversity, it's only natural to feel a little sorry for some of them.

Today the paralympians are our inspirational sporting heroes overcoming adversity. Tomorrow the Department of Snide Innuendo will be asking them why, if they do so well at sport, are they still claiming benefit and not working.

I'd feel sorry for a young woman or man sat in a wheelchair following an accident.

I feel nothing of this for these people. Kind of leftfield, would you have felt sorry for Douglas Bader or admiration?

if i wanted to feel sorry for people i'd watch the x-factor auditions. if i want to feel inspired and humbled by the strength of others... i'd watch the paralympics.

I'm just articulating a pint of view, I wouldn't expect anyone else to be seen to express any sympathy with that view on a public forum, as it wouldn't be the right thing to do would it.

But it's an emotion that many will experience whilst watching the games, whether they're prepared to admit it to themselves, let alone others, is a different matter...

if i wanted to feel sorry for people i'd watch the x-factor auditions. if i want to feel inspired and humbled by the strength of others... i'd watch the paralympics.

Agreed.

I'm just articulating a pint of view

No, you're assuming that we feel the same way you do.

got a paralympian who trains down the gym in the mornings with me, his guide dog is one of my favourite dogs. harder in mind, body and spirit than anyone else who uses the gym by a long way!

His dog is harder in mind, body and spirit than anyone else that uses the gym by a long way? 🙂

Loddrik - I imagine if any of the Paralympians knew you they would probably pity you. 😛

Loddrik - I imagine if any of the Paralympians knew you they would probably pity you.

I wouldn't doubt that for a second.

Why should i feel pity for someone who could whup my fat ass in just about any activity that i could consider? I don't pity them at all - I'm jealous of their dedication, spirit and tenacity. bastards, the lot of them.

I suffered with dusty room syndrome repeatedly during the Olympics, I've got a mop and a bailing pump on standby for the next two weeks.

whether they're prepared to admit it to themselves, let alone others, is a different matter...

sounds creepily familiar to when racists say 'i'm only saying what everyone is thinking but scared to admit'

would you have felt sorry for Douglas Bader or admiration?

Read his life story, it's the poor German's trying keep him captive, and to deal with the bombastic, argumentative, persistent, egomaniac on a day to day basis, for whom I feel the most pity.

As probably all of the Paralympians could beat me hands down in a head to head competition, all I feel is admiration and respect.

For all their ability and dedication etc, I'll bet every one of them would give it up to become able bodied, either again or for the first time.

philconsequence - Member

if i wanted to feel sorry for people i'd watch the x-factor auditions. if i want to feel inspired and humbled by the strength of others... i'd watch the paralympics.

Could not put it better myself

If you ever actually meet any of them in real life (which I have) believe me you won't be feeling sorry for, or pitying them..
They'll blow you away with their lust for life and determination to win, I rode with a hand cyclist for a bit,..and the only person he made me feel sorry for was me....

sounds creepily familiar to when racists say 'i'm only saying what everyone is thinking but scared to admit'

And closet racists are everywhere, I'll bet there are hundreds on this very forum, but we'll never know...

That there is an element of pity that able bodied people feel whilst watching disabled athletes

Well I don't. I don't even see a disability to be honest. I think a disability is more of a frame of mind than a physical limitation. Those that give up on life have my pity. The ones that sit and do nothing for the rest of their lives.
There's an interview on YouTube of Tanni Grey- Thompson where she explains that to her, getting a wheelchair when she could no longer walk wasn't giving up, but giving her the freedom she needed. Everyone else thought the wheels were bad, something to be avoided. That pretty much sums it up for me.

Here endeth the thread.....
Edit...or not...

The journalist was Patrick Barclay btw...

Got my tickets for the Paralympic athletics, and I'm looking forward to it rather a lot. Disabled or not they're massively better athletes than I will ever be.

I think it would be great to take your son or daughter to watch. A real early/eye-opener for them. To confront potential prejudices and knock em flat.

Cbeebies received parent complaints didn't they about the presenter with one memorably saying 'you will scare my children'. I love how they never hide the fact. No long sleeve tops. Nothing. Awesome.

Anyway...LALALALALALA...it'll be smashinggreatwonderful....LALALALALALA
And it's sunny and I'm going out on't bike... 😀 have a nice day....

getting a wheelchair when she could no longer walk wasn't giving up, but giving her the freedom she needed

Can't do youtube at work but if someone could find that link and mail it to me, i want to send it to my mum. It's a different scenario; she's 70, and increasingly struggling with arthritis and diabetes. As a result the things she loved to do with her grandaughters just 2 or 3 years ago, like going to Chessington or Legoland, are out of reach because she doesn't have the energy to walk around for hours at a time, even if the arthritis let her. We're trying to prersuade her that having a mobility scooter is not giving up; it's opting back in to having the freedom she once had to do those things.

Would i pity her for having a scooter? Far from it, i pity her for being too stubborn to have one, for everything she's missing out on as a result.

I get the whole inspirational, much better than etc etc points, I don't disagree with them. But that doesn't affect that many people will also feel a little sorry for some of the participants. It is still possible to respect what they have achieved yet still feel a little pity whilst watching some of them.