Every four years a few days after the conclusion of the Olympic Games the Paralympics begin. These athletes train just as hard and are just as dedicated as able bodied athletes in their chosen events. After the overwhelming success of ‘Team GB’ at the Olympic Games I am slightly disappointed to see the level of press coverage of our Paralympic team.
I was proud as a Briton with the success of the performance of our team in the Olympics, finishing fourth overall was a fantastic achievement. The amazing performances in the pool, rowing and cycling captured the imagination of the nation for the weeks the Games were on. I also congratulate the Chinese organisers for putting on possibly the greatest games ever seen. Also the headliners of Usain Bolt and of course the amazing eight golds won by Phelps ensured that these games would be remembered for on the track rather than the off the track protests.
Yet I was slighlty miffed to read just a small review of the Paralympic achievements in the paper today. The team, finishing second overall, winning 42 golds to finish second behind China.
Cyclist Darren Kenny takes home four gold medals and a silver, while swimmer Dave Roberts also won four golds, taking him to a career total of 11 Paralympic medals. Lee Pearson won three equestrian golds, and GB’s youngest team member, 13-year-old swimmer Eleanor Simmonds, claimed an astonishing two gold medals to become Britain’s youngest ever individual champion. It has been a great success.
I just hope that as we are hosting the event in 2012 we give just as much media exposure to these great athletes as we do our able bodied stars.