New competitions at the Paralympic Games – and a renewed appetite to win
The ATHENS 2004 Paralympic Games is the place to be for the ever-expanding sports world of the disabled. Women’s judo lines up on the mat with the men’s competition for the first time in history.
Many women, like Briton Maxine Ingram who is visually impaired and will compete in the under 63kg class, are eager to grapple a medal if possible.
Another category at ATHENS 2004 is also making its debut. Wheelchair Tennis is an increasingly popular sport played by over 70 countries. The Eligibility requirement is a permanent substantial or total loss of function in one or both legs. The innovative category- new to Athens- is the Quadriplegic division which requires that a player has a disability in three or more limbs.
I hardly need to say that is an immense challenge and they play at a blistering pace because I have seen them. In a case of 1+1 = 10, two such Quad players have combined to make a formidable doubles team. Sara Hunter is seeded 5th in the world and Brian McPhate 15th, but couple are so effective at backing up each other they have zoomed up to the rankings to be number one in the world according to Janet Petras, head coach of Tennis. She is from white Rock, British Columbia and says she has high hopes of winning a gold medal.
Good luck to her. Yet another discipline that has been introduced at the ATHENS 2004 Paralympic Games is visually impaired five-a-side Football. At the Sidney Games 2000 there was only the 7-a-side competition when the Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) which governs this sport decided to add 5. The players wear eye patches and eyeshades and goalkeepers are sighted, acting as guides. In this game of ingenuity the ball makes a noise when it moves. The IBSA has collaborated with FIFA in making the competition really exciting. Judging by its popularity the matches are a real success. It is played all over the world in 21 countries.
Peter Pitt
Ελληνικά
19 September 2004
For those who understand no explanation is needed, ...For those who don't none will.
