Wot, no Paralympics thread?

[MGR1]

After seeing we had one for the Olympics, I'm a little surprised that there hasn't been one for the Paralympics?:hmmm:

Official website:

http://www.london2012.com/paralympics/sports/

Here's the current Medal Table:

http://www.london2012.com/paralympics/medals/medal-count/

Unsurprisingly, China's on top; Britain second and the Aussie's third:salute:. The USA is currently in sixth place.

Major news, Oscar Pistorius wasn't a happy bunny (he's subsequently apologised.):

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympic-sport/9517379/Oscar-Pistorius-halo-slipped-with-dangerous-attack-on-rivals-blades-at-Paralympics.html#

Wrong medals given due to error in points:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/disability-sport/19457908

On the whole, from a UK perspective, it's not going too badly. Channel 4's coverage isn't as good as the BBC's and the advert breaks are somewhat annoying, but it's not utterly atrocious. I do like the way that they are making an effort to explain the grading system as well.:yeah:

Classification explained:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/aug/31/paralympic-games-guide-classifications

PDF file:

http://www.paralympic.org/sites/default/files/document/120223112335266_2012+Classification+Guide+2nd+edit ion.pdf

Feel free to add any extra news and view, folks!:up:

Mike.:salute:

[Tribesman]

Feel free to add any extra news and view, folks!
The wife just got back with two of the kids, they seemed to enjoy it more than the Olympics itself, plus they had a rather unusual run of Ireland actually winning medals.
The other daughter flies home tomorrow then the missus flies out again wednesday by herself for the rest of the games and the finale party.

Funny aboout Oscar though, the shoe was on the other foot as it were.

[TarJak]

Looks like our disables athletes are better than our able bodied ones.

[Tribesman]

It was nice to see George Osbourne get the reception he deserved.
What a scumbag.

[Jimbuna]

Wife and daughter just back from the equestrian event today, both had a great time and saw GB win a gold and a bronze.

[BossMark]

It was nice to see George Osbourne get the reception he deserved.
What a scumbag.
Bugger missed that, but I got pissed off with CH4 days ago too many bloody adverts :wah:

[Betonov]

Looks like our disables athletes are better than our able bodied ones.

I wouldn't call them disabled.

More like positively motivated by a negative occurance

[Tribesman]

Bugger missed that,
When he is removing disability payments from 2 of every 3 disabled children in your country it isn't a surprise he gets a bad reception.
Sadly it wasn't even that surprising when the smug bastard started laughing about it.

Ireland got another win

[MGR1]

Erm, can we try and keep politics out of this one folks?:timeout: There's another thread for that.

Ellie Simmonds get's a golden postbox in Swansea and is featured on Royal Mail stamp after winning 2 golds and setting new world record for 200m freestyle:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-19473243

Bet she'll get an upgrade to that MBE of hers too!

Factoid: Did you know that Wheelchair Rugby, formerly known as Murderball, was invented in Canada in 1977? It combines the rules of basketball, handball and ice hockey: crashing into each other is an integral part of play, which is fast and aggressive (Believe me, it has to be seen to be believed - broken extremities are common!:o). Players must have some loss of function in at least three limbs.

Mike.:)

[Jimbuna]

Factoid: Did you know that Wheelchair Rugby, formerly known as Murderball, was invented in Canada in 1977? It combines the rules of basketball, handball and ice hockey: crashing into each other is an integral part of play, which is fast and aggressive (Believe me, it has to be seen to be believed - broken extremities are common!:o). Players must have some loss of function in at least three limbs.

Mike.:)

Reminded me of some of the 'blocks' I've seen in the basketball.

[soopaman2]

I read an article earlier about Oscar Pistorius apologizing for complaining about his opponents blades (carbon fiber legs) being too long.

Oscar had to defend his blades when he competed with able bodied runners, then complained because he thought an opponent had too long a stride. The authorities did measure the prostetics before the race and found them to be proper size for the gentlemans height.

Bad move, and low class, for a fella I see as an inspiration.

He was the only non American I rooted for in the Olympics.

Much respect for all the athletes, too bad these events don't get the airtime, I would watch.

[kranz]

What bugs me is the fact that people like Pistorius and Natalia Partyka (a Polish table tennis player) are allowed to take part in both the Olympics and the Paralympics.
Pistorius is a complex issue, tho I have no problem with his taking part in the Olympics (only).
But how about this Polish table tennis player, Partyka? She doesn't have her forearm thus she plays with her left hand. She got a gold medal 2 days ago, and said: "Well, it seems like we are doing better than our Olympic team (:har:)" (as a side note: she lost in the 3rd round).
Basically, what I would do is to allow people like her and Pistorious choose between the Olympics and the Paralympics. Never both.

[Tribesman]

Basically, what I would do is to allow people like her and Pistorious choose between the Olympics and the Paralympics. Never both.
Why?

[kranz]

Because it shouldn't be based on the following logic: I play in the Olympics with my healthy hand and I play in the Paralympics with my healthy hand but only because I don't have my right forearm.
If one feels that he/she can compete with others in the Olympics and that her disability does not influence her performance, he/she should not be allowed to take part in the Paralympics because of the above.

The chance to "give it a try" reminds me of what happened during the women's hammer throw final. Betty Heidler (http://www.london2012.com/athlete/heidler-betty-1119538/) threw the hammer at her, don't remember correctly, 5-6th attempt. The throw was performed correctly but because of a failure in communication between the two referees (the one who stands next to the circle and the one who measures) it was not measured. After a short argument, she was given another attempt, as if the not measured throw hadn't taken place.
So, she threw the hammer but the result was shorter. The competition continued and finally ended. Heidler was 4th. Medals were given, the Chinese girl who got bronze took the flag and started the "honor round".
However, it appeared that the German team protested against what had happened with the fatal throw. After a while it appeared that the referee responsible for measuring put a coin in the place where the non-measured throw was made. After the German protest they measured the "throw" and, as it was better than the one made by the Chinese girl, Heidler got the bronze.
These two examples share one logic: if you fail, we will give you another chance.

[Tribesman]

Because it shouldn't be based on the following logic
logic fails you
Your post shows a lack of thought and a lack of basic understanding.
When you play table tennis how many hands do you use?
Or for that matter how many legs do you use?
Perhaps people without legs should be in the same category as people without arms.
Lets make it really simple and reverse it. marathons, should people in wheelchairs be banned form marathons as they beat the hell out of even the best east africans times? or should runners be banned as their seperate category is only so they don't get classed as losers in the marathon?

The chance to "give it a try" reminds me of what happened during the women's hammer throw final.
you mean when the judges lost the records then found the records.


These two examples share one logic: if you fail, we will give you another chance.
Your two examples share nothing, apart from that they don't follow logic.


But anyway time for another direction.
After watching the British category 1a equestrian win yesterday I wondered when they could introduce a category for shooting events for people with CP.

[soopaman2]

Basically, what I would do is to allow people like her and Pistorious choose between the Olympics and the Paralympics. Never both.


There is a distinct difference between the two athletes (Besides running being a real sport, the other is debatable)

Pistorius has no legs. While Partyka has a hand to grasp the paddle with. You do not need 2 hands for ping pong, you don't. If you do then you are playing it wrong. But you do need both feet and calves to run.

I saw no problem with Pistorius in the Olympics, and saw it as inspirational for all people with physical difficulties. If he would have won, on the other hand, you would see a much renewed backlash about the blades.

I see the point you are trying to make, I just feel it is a bad comparison.:salute:

If Oscar would have won, you would have seen a crapstorm. But the sheer amount of studies put into these prostetics shows they do not provide an unfair advantage. (Unless you count not having to work out your calves, and ankles) And with the rubbing on the "nubs" they can even be a disadvantage against athletes with legs. As well as a lack of feel on the track, and of course your balance is not as good due to that.

[Tribesman]

You do not need 2 hands for ping pong, you don't. If you do then you are playing it wrong.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvFFCUmr5e8&feature=relmfu

soopafail
Playing table tennis without two hands is possible, even playing with no hands is possible, but either one puts you at a disadvantage for some vital aspects of the game against a player with full functions of their limbs.

But you do need both feet and calves to run.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9Wlp1sTnoY

soopafail
The question in that regards both in the olympics and paralympics is to what extent high tech prosthetics can give someone an unfair advantage.

Here is an interesting one on a different angle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sT6cGz51Oj8&feature=related
now take an above knee single leg amputee
swimming cycling and running can be competative just like the below knee double in that clip, but they are absolutly buggered in that swim/cycle transition phase.
If they can make the cut offs for triathlons there is no reason why they should not compete, likewise competing in regular events cannot prevent them from entering disabled events if they also qualify for them.

Thats logic, if you qualify for an event you can compete in it, competing in one event does not prohibit you from competing in another event you qualify for.

[soopaman2]

Clever mocking of my name. ;)

But it is still my opinion that Pistorius is more an athlete than a table tennis player.:sunny:

I agree, if you qualify, then you may compete. Regardless of limitations.

They extensively tested these "blades"