Paralympics, a good thing or not?
Paralympics, a good thing or not?
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Discussion

Baby Huey

Original Poster:

4,881 posts

229 months

Friday 5th September 2008
quotequote all
The Paralympics begins on Saturday, and I'm always in two minds about whether it's good to have it or not.

On the one hand, it's good that disabled people get to take part in the games.

On the other hand does it really do anything for the moral of disabled people who may watch the athletes and feel worse about themselves than they may do already, knowing that not only are they disabled, but they can consider themselves failures compared with the disabled athletes on the telly.

I'm not trying to offend anyone, just wondered what other people thought?

Also, I see there are no Paralympic boxing events. Do the organizer think it would distasteful having disabled boxers knocking each other into next week?

Legend83

10,588 posts

252 months

Friday 5th September 2008
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I am not disabled and I feel worse when I watch top cricketers on the telly and think how I was not born to be that good.

Don't see how it is that different.

Heskey

4,048 posts

223 months

Friday 5th September 2008
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It's no different, to be honest.

As part of respect for diversity, most disabled people accept their disability and want to get on with life without anyone treating them any differently.

They just think "Why can't I do that?" rather than "I'm disabled, and why can't I do that?"

It's not a problem, I imagine.

Baby Huey

Original Poster:

4,881 posts

229 months

Friday 5th September 2008
quotequote all
I think some people have disabilities that mean no matter how hard they tried, they wouldn't be able to compete in the Paralympics. It's a bit different from not being good at cricket.

Heskey

4,048 posts

223 months

Friday 5th September 2008
quotequote all
Baby Huey said:
I think some people have disabilities that mean no matter how hard they tried, they wouldn't be able to compete in the Paralympics. It's a bit different from not being good at cricket.
Meh. I DON'T LIKE CRICKET to begin with...

Sorry getmecoat

Edited by Heskey on Friday 5th September 14:09

Timmy35

13,014 posts

228 months

Friday 5th September 2008
quotequote all
Baby Huey said:
On the other hand does it really do anything for the moral of disabled people who may watch the athletes and feel worse about themselves than they may do already, knowing that not only are they disabled, but they can consider themselves failures compared with the disabled athletes on the telly.
I'm not sure, I mean we watch able bodied athletes and don't feel bad about ourselves. So I can't see why disabled people would feel anything different to the admiration for athletes that the able bodied do?

tinman0

18,231 posts

270 months

Friday 5th September 2008
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Baby Huey said:
The Paralympics begins on Saturday, and I'm always in two minds about whether it's good to have it or not.
Asked the same question a few minutes ago here. Its a fine line we decided.

In my opinion I think its a bit of a circus freak show where people are invited to watch disabled people compete. On the other hand it gives talented people a chance to compete.

If it isn't a freak show, then why not just put the Paralympics in with the main Olympics in the first place and be done with it? If everyone is equal, why put on the separate show? Of course you would still need the disabled people to compete like for like, but why a separate Olympics?

anonymous-user

84 months

Friday 5th September 2008
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Baby Huey said:
I think some people have disabilities that mean no matter how hard they tried, they wouldn't be able to compete in the Paralympics. It's a bit different from not being good at cricket.
Many able bodied people no matter how hard they tried wouldn't be able to win a gold medal in most Olympic events.



Legend83

10,588 posts

252 months

Friday 5th September 2008
quotequote all
Baby Huey said:
I think some people have disabilities that mean no matter how hard they tried, they wouldn't be able to compete in the Paralympics. It's a bit different from not being good at cricket.
Why? I am able-bodied but I think it is fair to say however hard I tried I would not be able to play for England.

I first post was slightly sarcy, in that I don't really give a toss and as others have suggested, I am sure most disabled people don't either.

SS HSV

9,646 posts

288 months

Friday 5th September 2008
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tinman0 said:
Baby Huey said:
The Paralympics begins on Saturday, and I'm always in two minds about whether it's good to have it or not.
Asked the same question a few minutes ago here. Its a fine line we decided.

In my opinion I think its a bit of a circus freak show where people are invited to watch disabled people compete. On the other hand it gives talented people a chance to compete.

If it isn't a freak show, then why not just put the Paralympics in with the main Olympics in the first place and be done with it? If everyone is equal, why put on the separate show? Of course you would still need the disabled people to compete like for like, but why a separate Olympics?
Regardless of whether you think it is a freak show, the participents obviously do not and would not liked to tabbed as such.

andrew_huxtable

936 posts

218 months

Friday 5th September 2008
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I have greater admiration for participants of the paralympics than the olympics, these people must have great inner strength to firstly overcome the fear of being disabled, and then to think sod it, i`m going to be the best that i can be in the area that i have chosen

Baby Huey

Original Poster:

4,881 posts

229 months

Friday 5th September 2008
quotequote all
Timmy35 said:
Baby Huey said:
On the other hand does it really do anything for the moral of disabled people who may watch the athletes and feel worse about themselves than they may do already, knowing that not only are they disabled, but they can consider themselves failures compared with the disabled athletes on the telly.
I'm not sure, I mean we watch able bodied athletes and don't feel bad about ourselves. So I can't see why disabled people would feel anything different to the admiration for athletes that the able bodied do?
The older I get the more depressing it is to see people older than me competing in the Olympics.

LongLiveTazio

2,714 posts

227 months

Friday 5th September 2008
quotequote all
tinman0 said:
Baby Huey said:
The Paralympics begins on Saturday, and I'm always in two minds about whether it's good to have it or not.
Asked the same question a few minutes ago here. Its a fine line we decided.

In my opinion I think its a bit of a circus freak show where people are invited to watch disabled people compete. On the other hand it gives talented people a chance to compete.

If it isn't a freak show, then why not just put the Paralympics in with the main Olympics in the first place and be done with it? If everyone is equal, why put on the separate show? Of course you would still need the disabled people to compete like for like, but why a separate Olympics?
Nobody is saying they are 'equal', least of all people with impairments - a one-armed swimmer isn't going to compete with Phelps - the point is that they want to, and do, compete in sport. And like the rest of the sporting world, those in the upper echelons want to compete at the highest level: the olympics.

elster

17,517 posts

240 months

Friday 5th September 2008
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tinman0 said:
If it isn't a freak show, then why not just put the Paralympics in with the main Olympics in the first place and be done with it? If everyone is equal, why put on the separate show? Of course you would still need the disabled people to compete like for like, but why a separate Olympics?
As some events they are mechanically advantaged, others they are mechanically disadvantaged.

Why not have bikes instead of running a marathon?? It would be quicker and easier surely.

Do you see what I am trying to explain in my bad explanation?!

tonyvid

9,889 posts

273 months

Friday 5th September 2008
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andrew_huxtable said:
...these people must have great inner strength to firstly overcome the fear of being disabled, and then to think sod it, i`m going to be the best that i can be in the area that i have chosen
yes

Saying that, I saw the BBC trailer for it this morning and the Fencers in the wheelchairs made me laugh, it reminded me of two toddlers scrapping from their buggies paperbag

andrew_huxtable

936 posts

218 months

Friday 5th September 2008
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anonymous said:
[redacted]
if you meant that to be funny, it wasnt at all, not even in the slighest. If on the other hand you did mean it you are one ignorant fker

Timmy35

13,014 posts

228 months

Friday 5th September 2008
quotequote all
andrew_huxtable said:
anonymous said:
[redacted]
if you meant that to be funny, it wasnt at all, not even in the slighest. If on the other hand you did mean it you are one ignorant fker
Newbie meet Bedford. Bedford.....meet humourless Newbie.

tonyvid

9,889 posts

273 months

Friday 5th September 2008
quotequote all
andrew_huxtable said:
anonymous said:
[redacted]
if you meant that to be funny, it wasnt at all, not even in the slighest. If on the other hand you did mean it you are one ignorant fker
It made me chuckle.

Timmy35

13,014 posts

228 months

Friday 5th September 2008
quotequote all
anonymous said:
[redacted]
It's alright I think he's probably pissed. If every sense of the word.

Baby Huey

Original Poster:

4,881 posts

229 months

Friday 5th September 2008
quotequote all
anonymous said:
[redacted]
This is going well!!