SPORTS 'N SPOKES

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One World One Dream

It happens just once every four years, but the summer Paralympics is a signature event that attracts the best of the best from around the world.

Our coverage includes three articles, with some spectacular images by Frank Polich Photography ...

U.S. Thrives in Beijing
by Phil DeMeo

The Paralympic Games, second in size only to the Olympics, is an international spectacle where each nation's elite athletes with physical disabilities compete for gold, silver, and bronze medals. On September 6-17, the 2008 Paralympic Games took place in Beijing, China, using the same venues and facilities as the Olympics.

Following a fine performance four years ago in Athens, Greece, the U.S. Paralympic Team, consisting of 213 athletes competing in 18 sports, arrived in Beijing with the goal of increasing its medal count. After collecting 88 medals in 2004, good for fifth in the standings, Team USA won 99 in Beijing and finished third behind China and Great Britain.

U.S. athletes performed exceptionally well throughout the Games, setting 25 world records and winning gold medals in team sports including rugby, basketball, rowing, and goalball. Overall, the 2008 Paralympic Games was a huge success for Team USA, a sign its athletes will soar to even greater heights in years to come.


The author summarizes Paralympic action, including the U.S. women's wheelchair basketball team going a perfect 7-0 and capturing a second straight Paralympic gold medal. That's Team USA's Jennifer Ruddell celebrating gold with her teammates on the cover of this month's S'NS.



Paralympic Impressions
by Rory A. Cooper and Rosemarie Cooper

The Coopers present their views from the sideline, as they take a look at such aspects as the Beijing airport, hotel accommodations, and city traffic. Here's what they say about media coverage: "A total of 146 countries were represented at the 2008 Paralympics. The Chinese televised the event about 15 hours per day on mainstream TV. During a layover in Germany, we discovered mainstream TV there was giving the Paralympics about two hours of coverage daily. Too bad the U.S. did not follow their lead." And this about the host country's preparations for the event: "The Chinese thought of nearly everything to make the Games run smoothly. Ramps, curb cuts, and accessible transportation were added to Beijing for the Paralympics. And, hopefully, the memory of the event will have a lasting positive impact on people with disabilities in China. The exposure to the athlete ambassadors from around the globe should be a good start."



Experiencing It All
by Joshua George

Paralympic Games participant Joshua George presents gives his thoughts of the event. Here's what he says about a side trip to the Great Wall and also about the Opening Ceremonies: "The track and field staff, being the best in the world, also realized the need for distractions and organized a team trip to the Great Wall. Up in the green rolling hills, I gazed into the landscape, making peace with the world and posing for a CCTV (China Central Television) camera crew that had come along to report on our team trip. "Opening Ceremonies was definitely a treat. I am not one who elates at the idea of a good ceremony, but I entered the stadium next to the youngest member of our track team, and I must admit I got caught up in the infinite excitement streaming out of her every pore. Plus, we were the best-looking nation, all dapper in our blue blazers and white driving caps."

 

Check out the complete article in the November 2008 S'NS

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