PARALYMPICA!
Sep. 9th, 2008 12:33 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
defrogSo I’ve been watching the Beijing 2008 Paralympics highlights the last couple of nights. Because somebody has to.
It’s always kind of a drag to see everyone swoon and obsess over the Olympics, but then interest totally flags as soon as the cripples show up. To be fair, they do seem to be drawing a decent turnout, and Beijing seems to put real effort into making it as good a show as the Olympics. But the difference is clear, especially in Hong Kong. No live continuous coverage, no celebrity commentators. They did cover the opening ceremony live, and they’ve been showing daily highlights, but it’s obvious that it rates far less hoopla and fanfare.
I suppose it’s always been that way, so it’s not Beijing’s fault, necessarily. I admit I’ve never really watched the Paralympics either (though I didn’t watch much of the Olympics, really). That said, I don’t ever remember actually seeing them on TV as an option. I think the only reason HK TV stations are showing it is because we’re a co-host city.
But anyway, I’ve been watching the highlights, and I have to say it’s pretty cool – and arguably more interesting than the “proper” Olympics. Even the mascot is cuter.
See?
There’s something fascinating and inspiring about seeing visually impaired people play five-a-side football and race tandem bikes, as opposed to “normal” people. And I can tell you for a fact that basketball is 100% more awesome when you put all the players in wheelchairs.
Heck, some events look like they’d be fun to play regardless of yr physical condition, like sitting volleyball and goalball.
I realize of course that many of the athletes, given the choice, might prefer to be in the Fully Abled Olympics. But they don’t have that choice. Which is why it’s awesome to see people refuse to accept limitations. Look at Oscar Pistorius. He may have failed to qualify for the Olympics (by less than one second), but he impresses me more than Usain Bolt (great athlete, better name, but let’s seem him do that with fiberglass blades instead of legs).
But then I would say all that, wouldn’t I? I’m the guy who thinks the Olympics would be improved by having all the events redesigned by Japanese game show producers. There really should be a gold medal for Human Tetris. You know this.
FUN FACT: The Paralympic mascot, Lele, is an ox. In Chinese culture, an ox represents diligence, determination, courage, endurance and strength. They also make a great soup.
Have a cow,
This is dF
It’s always kind of a drag to see everyone swoon and obsess over the Olympics, but then interest totally flags as soon as the cripples show up. To be fair, they do seem to be drawing a decent turnout, and Beijing seems to put real effort into making it as good a show as the Olympics. But the difference is clear, especially in Hong Kong. No live continuous coverage, no celebrity commentators. They did cover the opening ceremony live, and they’ve been showing daily highlights, but it’s obvious that it rates far less hoopla and fanfare.
I suppose it’s always been that way, so it’s not Beijing’s fault, necessarily. I admit I’ve never really watched the Paralympics either (though I didn’t watch much of the Olympics, really). That said, I don’t ever remember actually seeing them on TV as an option. I think the only reason HK TV stations are showing it is because we’re a co-host city.
But anyway, I’ve been watching the highlights, and I have to say it’s pretty cool – and arguably more interesting than the “proper” Olympics. Even the mascot is cuter.
See?
There’s something fascinating and inspiring about seeing visually impaired people play five-a-side football and race tandem bikes, as opposed to “normal” people. And I can tell you for a fact that basketball is 100% more awesome when you put all the players in wheelchairs.
Heck, some events look like they’d be fun to play regardless of yr physical condition, like sitting volleyball and goalball.
I realize of course that many of the athletes, given the choice, might prefer to be in the Fully Abled Olympics. But they don’t have that choice. Which is why it’s awesome to see people refuse to accept limitations. Look at Oscar Pistorius. He may have failed to qualify for the Olympics (by less than one second), but he impresses me more than Usain Bolt (great athlete, better name, but let’s seem him do that with fiberglass blades instead of legs).
But then I would say all that, wouldn’t I? I’m the guy who thinks the Olympics would be improved by having all the events redesigned by Japanese game show producers. There really should be a gold medal for Human Tetris. You know this.
FUN FACT: The Paralympic mascot, Lele, is an ox. In Chinese culture, an ox represents diligence, determination, courage, endurance and strength. They also make a great soup.
Have a cow,
This is dF
