Paralympics 2024

[AndyRM]

It's it's own event so deserves it's own thread.

I'm looking forward to the opening ceremony this evening and read this inspirational story of triumph over pretty extreme adversity earlier:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/archery/articles/cp089q32yrqo

 

[sevenfourate]

I know two Swimmers. So will be watching at least ‘some’ of the games. One local lad - and Son of a good friend - is William Ellard. He is quite the Athlete. Cheer him on for me; and hopefully watch the GB medal tally increase ✅

https://www.britishswimming.org/athlete-swimming-profiles/para-swimming-profiles/william-ellard/

 

[AndyRM]

I know two Swimmers. So will be watching at least ‘some’ of the games. One local lad - and Son of a good friend - is William Ellard. He is quite the Athlete. Cheer him on for me; and hopefully watch the GB medal tally increase ✅

https://www.britishswimming.org/athlete-swimming-profiles/para-swimming-profiles/william-ellard/

Good stuff, will keep an eye out.

There was a piece on 5Live the other day about intellectually impaired athletes and how they don't have as many medals opportunities but it's cool that it's a recognised category. I didn't catch the name of the fella they were interviewing (also a swimmer I believe) who was regretting being "an old man" and not able to compete, I'm pretty sure he said he was younger than me!

The key thing was the difference in attitudes to these games for all the athletes which can only be a positive IMO.

I'm just hoping the controversy over the trans Italian runner doesn't become a huge talking point as it did with the boxers, but the debate on that one isn't for this thread!

 

[sevenfourate]

Good stuff, will keep an eye out.

There was a piece on 5Live the other day about intellectually impaired athletes and how they don't have as many medals opportunities but it's cool that it's a recognised category. I didn't catch the name of the fella they were interviewing (also a swimmer I believe) who was regretting being "an old man" and not able to compete, I'm pretty sure he said he was younger than me!

The key thing was the difference in attitudes to these games for all the athletes which can only be a positive IMO.

I'm just hoping the controversy over the trans Italian runner doesn't become a huge talking point as it did with the boxers, but the debate on that one isn't for this thread!

I’m on a WhatsApp group started by his Father to track his Games.

His schedule is below for anyone interested:

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Looking forward to it. Hopefully some world records and exciting races to watch. Went to Paralympics in 2012 and it was brill.

 

[AndyRM]

The opening ceremony was pretty spectacular, though I did think Channel 4 could have skipped the ads while it was on (which is a very minor gripe).

I always like seeing the inventive ways the athletes find to compete in their sports, that in itself is an incredible skill even before you start with their sporting ability.

 

[sevenfourate]

Just home. But i see my man topped the heat's today in his first (?) swim of the Games…….

 

[AndyRM]

Just home. But i see my man topped the heat's today in his first (?) swim of the Games…….

View attachment 743195

I've been in and out of the coverage, but saw that race. Mighty close between him and the Aussie chap! Nobody else looked like touching them.

 

[sevenfourate]

I've been in and out of the coverage, but saw that race. Mighty close between him and the Aussie chap! Nobody else looked like touching them.

Cool !!!


Our Office / Accounts Manageress tells me they have a ‘very well known’ Female Paralympic Swimmer who’s won a number of Golds and lives in her ‘Village’. They commemorated that fact / her by permanently having a Gold Postbox in the Street in her honour. I’ll bike there one day and get a pic……..😉

 

[sevenfourate]

Apparently he ended up winning Silver Medal…..👊

 

[vickster]

Apparently he ended up winning Silver Medal…..👊

And also a gold 🥳
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/swimming/articles/c4gd8eplzzjo

 

[sevenfourate]

And also a gold 🥳
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/swimming/articles/c4gd8eplzzjo

Oh yes. I followed that. He’s not finished yet either. Amazing. Absolutely amazing……

 

[AndyRM]

I've been busy or away so not been able to get properly into the games yet but we've had an impressive showing so far.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/swimming/articles/c4gd8eplzzjo

 

[Beebo]

The team GB performance so far has been spectacular.
We are basically smashing it out of the park.

 

[AndyRM]

The team GB performance so far has been spectacular.
We are basically smashing it out of the park.

A record of 12 golds today. That's seriously impressive.

I was out for most of the day and only caught the second half of the murderball between us and the US who looked on a totally different level despite us being very good. I'd love to give it a go, it looks brutal.