Opening of 2008 Beijing Paralympics - photo gallery

[Catty1]

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/paralympics...llery_1569.xml

Athletes to watch:

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/paralympics...llery_1555.xml

[RICHARD]

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/paralympics...llery_1569.xml

Athletes to watch:

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/paralympics...llery_1555.xml

Do I really have anything to complain about?


I was watching the channels in Espanol and saw a wonderful piece about a Mexican athlete who will compete.

With one leg.

Swimming.

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I really enjoy the Games. Probably way too much.

I get excited when I see a Phelps compete and win, It gets old very quickly watching him hawk stuff for corporations and seeing his picture everywhere.

Being the fastest, best, strongest is a wonderful thing. There will be a story or two about a 12 or thirteen year old kid that will show up in London and do something extraordinary, spurred on by a swimmer with a bunch of medals and a cereal box picture.

So what do we know about a one legged Mexican dude that cannot dress himself, had problems eating, gettting around, opening doors or cleaning himself after he goes to the BR?

NOTHING.

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A week ago Jim Rome, a rather obnoxious moron who reports on sports was
talking about the Beijing Games and the decathalon, the person who wins that title is known as the World's Greatest Athlete for doing well in 10 events over two days. The kid that won it, Brian Clay was miffed about MP being named the WGA. And I agree. If you can do one thing well, o.k.-If you can do 10 well, over two days and kick the world's arse?

You got my vote.

We tend to focus every two years on some skater, swimmer, skier, runner that wins a bunch and makes us feel good.

We do lose sight of the people who have to 'win' everyday, doing the small things we take for granted.

Swim fast? I guess I am impressed. I am too old and too slow to even worry about that.

I am more wrapped up in staying one step ahead of life.

Clean my bum? Switch on a light fixture? Heat a bowl of soup?

I am world class!

Swim with one leg. Ah, I can barely swim with all the required limbs. Like the old line goes, He'd be as busy as a one legged man in an arse kicking contest.

I am not going to give him a chance to kick mine, I know when to quit.

Am I more than impressed and not willing to get into a pool and compete against a man, who competes internationally, with one leg. So, MP may be a world class swimmer, this Mexican kid is a classy, world athlete. He'll practice day after day, in relative obscurity while Phelps makes the rounds, under the spotlight of doing one thing well.


But I'd really like to see MP and this one legged guy go head to head, not in the pool, in life.

We'll tie MP's arms together and make him sit in a wheelchair and see how a bunch of gold plated pieces of metal can help him clean his keister, button a shirt or open a box of cereal, with his picture on it, no less.

[critters]

EXCELLENT post, Richard!!

[lvpets2002]

I think its so Great.. Now will they broadcast so we can watch??

[RICHARD]

I think its so Great.. Now will they broadcast so we can watch??

Clips are being show on the Paralympics site and they have result too.

I have looked all over my cable for anything...nope nothing.

If I find programs I'll let you know!

Did you know that there are even equestrian events happening?

[RICHARD]

http://www.nowpublic.com/sports/beij...edal-tally-212

Check out how they have modified some sports to allow people to compete.

You tube has videos posted.

[RICHARD]

The US women won a gold in the WC basketball final!!!