Hubba and I have been enjoying the Paralympic coverage on paralympic.org.
Aside from one morning where I messed up on the timezone math and missed the event I wanted to see by an hour, we've been getting up early to see some events.
After the live coverage, the Paralympic Broadcast is posted to YouTube on the ParalympicSportTV channel.
There have been so many amazing things put forth, but one in particular is the men's T54 (wheelchair) 5000m Final. This is Hubba's class, so we know something about most of these guys.
The race starts at about 3:16 into this video.
The 5000m on the track is a chess game. It's all about knocking the others off balance and being in the right place at the right time.
One of my favorite athletes to watch is Kurt Fearnley of Australia. He is so relaxed and patient while he's racing and hometown boy, David Weir, won gold in front of a packed house. Definitely an event to watch.
If you scroll back to 2:37 then you can also see the amazing Oscar Pistorius be surprised by the young Brazilian athlete, Alan Oliveira, in the 200m.
In my mind, there is little better for the Paralympic Movement than seeing the brilliant Blade Runner, who did so well at the Olympics, have real competition at the Paralympics.
Showing posts with label paralympics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label paralympics. Show all posts
Monday, September 3, 2012
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
The Paralympics are Starting Soon
If you happen to be in countries other than the US, I suspect there's a good chance you will be seeing some Paralympic Coverage on your local television channels. However, if you're in the US, you will need to go to YouTube, USParalympics.org, or Paralympic.org. Or if you have cable TV, then NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) will air one-hour highlight shows on September 4,5,6 and 11 at 7pm ET.
Finally on September 16, NBC will broadcast a 90-minute special from 2-3:30pm ET.
The London Paralympics run from August 29 - September 9. In London, at the same venues, playing most of the same sports.
While this is more coverage than we expected and more than has ever been provided in the US before, it is still very little when compared to the Able-Bodied Olympics.
USOC Press Release
If you still don't know what I'm talking about, the Paralympics are just like the Olympics, but way more exciting. Consider, if you will...Blind Sprinting or Long Jump, Amputee Soccer, Wheelchair Basketball or Racing, Archery without arms, Swimming without legs or arms. If you haven't seen (or done) these things, then you have no idea what you're missing.
Certainly you have all now considered Amputee Sprinting and are perhaps now reconsidering the idea of a Disabled Athlete. As cyclist, Greta Neimanas recently stated, "We compete to win, not for hugs."
You'll be able to see Oscar Pistorius race again and see how he performs against other amputee sprinters.
For us, we'll be watching Hubba's Training Partner compete in the 5000m, 800m, 400m and Marathon. She already has a gold medal in Basketball from Beijing (#12, white). Her former team mates are going for a 3-peat in Women's Wheelchair Basketball in London this year.
I hope you will take time to catch some of the events that are most interesting to you. If you do, please let me know what you think. Or better yet, let NBC know what you think. :-)
The opening ceremonies start in one week... 21:00 London time, Wednesday, August 29th.
Finally on September 16, NBC will broadcast a 90-minute special from 2-3:30pm ET.
The London Paralympics run from August 29 - September 9. In London, at the same venues, playing most of the same sports.
While this is more coverage than we expected and more than has ever been provided in the US before, it is still very little when compared to the Able-Bodied Olympics.
USOC Press Release
If you still don't know what I'm talking about, the Paralympics are just like the Olympics, but way more exciting. Consider, if you will...Blind Sprinting or Long Jump, Amputee Soccer, Wheelchair Basketball or Racing, Archery without arms, Swimming without legs or arms. If you haven't seen (or done) these things, then you have no idea what you're missing.
Certainly you have all now considered Amputee Sprinting and are perhaps now reconsidering the idea of a Disabled Athlete. As cyclist, Greta Neimanas recently stated, "We compete to win, not for hugs."
You'll be able to see Oscar Pistorius race again and see how he performs against other amputee sprinters.
For us, we'll be watching Hubba's Training Partner compete in the 5000m, 800m, 400m and Marathon. She already has a gold medal in Basketball from Beijing (#12, white). Her former team mates are going for a 3-peat in Women's Wheelchair Basketball in London this year.
I hope you will take time to catch some of the events that are most interesting to you. If you do, please let me know what you think. Or better yet, let NBC know what you think. :-)
The opening ceremonies start in one week... 21:00 London time, Wednesday, August 29th.
Monday, July 2, 2012
London
Well, we're not going to London. :-(
Hubba had good performances at the Trials this past weekend, but it was tough competition.
The full Paralympic Track and Field Team Roster is here and includes Hubba's training partner, Christina Schwab. Christina (then Ripp) was a member of the Gold Medal Women's Basketball Team at the Beijing Paralympics in 2008.
So when the Olympics are over, I hope you will spend some time on Paralympic.org to see what the Paralympians are doing... August 29 - September 9.
And, if you're so inclined send a note to NBC Sports and the US Olympic and Paralympic Committees. Ask them to give the Paralympic Team the coverage they deserve. These people have worked as hard and made the same sacrifices as the Olympians and have equally inspiring stories. :-)
Hubba had good performances at the Trials this past weekend, but it was tough competition.
The full Paralympic Track and Field Team Roster is here and includes Hubba's training partner, Christina Schwab. Christina (then Ripp) was a member of the Gold Medal Women's Basketball Team at the Beijing Paralympics in 2008.
So when the Olympics are over, I hope you will spend some time on Paralympic.org to see what the Paralympians are doing... August 29 - September 9.
And, if you're so inclined send a note to NBC Sports and the US Olympic and Paralympic Committees. Ask them to give the Paralympic Team the coverage they deserve. These people have worked as hard and made the same sacrifices as the Olympians and have equally inspiring stories. :-)
Thursday, June 28, 2012
In Pursuit of London
I dropped Hubba off at the airport today.
He's on his way to the USA Track and Field Trials for the London Paralympic Games.
If you happen to see or talk to me over the next several days, don't be too concerned if I seem to be pre-occupied.
He's on his way to the USA Track and Field Trials for the London Paralympic Games.
If you happen to see or talk to me over the next several days, don't be too concerned if I seem to be pre-occupied.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
USOC and Ravelympics
I am far from alone in being offended by the tone of a letter sent to the leaders of Ravelry by the USOC.
Being a business owner, entrepreneur, knitter, life-long fan of the Olympic Games and wife of an aspiring Paralympian, I have mixed feelings.
I absolutely agree with the issues related to trademark infringement. I completely disagree with stating that the Ravelympics inappropriately represents the ideals of the Olympic Movement or is disrespectful in anyway.
I have not participated in the Ravelympics before and was not planning to participate this year. However, I do plan to knit something specific to commemorate the London Paralympics, if my Husband is fortunate enough to be invited to participate.
While the first apology was also offensive, the update made me feel that the fiber community had been heard.
I know first hand the level of effort, commitment and expense required to bring yourself to the very top of your game.
Yes, it's true. My husband is the one doing the work... pushing the miles, focusing his intention and peeing in a cup in front of witnesses. But I am the one supporting him.
I will, of course, watch the London Olympic Games. Because I love sport. I love that the athletes have dedicated themselves to becoming as good as they can be. And I love that they respect excellent performances by their competition regardless of where that competition happens to be from.
I will, most likely, be knitting. Because that's what I do when I'm watching TV.
I would love to knit while watching the London Paralympic Games as well, but sadly there will be no domestic broadcast on the networks of NBC for those Games.
Being a business owner, entrepreneur, knitter, life-long fan of the Olympic Games and wife of an aspiring Paralympian, I have mixed feelings.
I absolutely agree with the issues related to trademark infringement. I completely disagree with stating that the Ravelympics inappropriately represents the ideals of the Olympic Movement or is disrespectful in anyway.
I have not participated in the Ravelympics before and was not planning to participate this year. However, I do plan to knit something specific to commemorate the London Paralympics, if my Husband is fortunate enough to be invited to participate.
While the first apology was also offensive, the update made me feel that the fiber community had been heard.
I know first hand the level of effort, commitment and expense required to bring yourself to the very top of your game.
Yes, it's true. My husband is the one doing the work... pushing the miles, focusing his intention and peeing in a cup in front of witnesses. But I am the one supporting him.
I will, of course, watch the London Olympic Games. Because I love sport. I love that the athletes have dedicated themselves to becoming as good as they can be. And I love that they respect excellent performances by their competition regardless of where that competition happens to be from.
I will, most likely, be knitting. Because that's what I do when I'm watching TV.
I would love to knit while watching the London Paralympic Games as well, but sadly there will be no domestic broadcast on the networks of NBC for those Games.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Feeling Patriotic
I dropped Hubba off at the airport yesterday morning.
He's headed to Guadalajara, Mexico for the the Para Pan American Games later this week.
I couldn't help but feel patriotic as I drove away.
I left Hubba on the curb all decked out in his USA Track and Field garb.
I really wish I had taken a photo.
He's headed to Guadalajara, Mexico for the the Para Pan American Games later this week.
I couldn't help but feel patriotic as I drove away.
I left Hubba on the curb all decked out in his USA Track and Field garb.
I really wish I had taken a photo.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Following Your Dreams
You may not have known that today was the US Paralympic Marathon Trials at the Chicago Marathon.
I can't find any information about it on the US Paralympic Team website or the Chicago Marathon website and unless you were lucky enough to catch the interview with Tatyana McFadden, the women's wheelchair winner, I would be surprised if you had heard anything about the importance of this race today.
The reason we know, is because the US Paralympic Committee sent Hubba an email and arranged for his trip. They know about him because he has met the qualifying time and was named to the US National Team earlier this year.
With as frustrating as I find the lack of publicity and information about this race, I am still amazed that we were allowed to be part of it. Maybe it's just crazy (or perhaps arrogant) to decide to try for a spot on any Olympic Team, but he did the work and found himself with a realistic shot at making that dream come true.
Alas, it was not our day. In our estimation, about 10 guys had a realistic shot at the two positions on the team. Hubba was the 6th American and therefore did not make the team today.
I can't find any information about it on the US Paralympic Team website or the Chicago Marathon website and unless you were lucky enough to catch the interview with Tatyana McFadden, the women's wheelchair winner, I would be surprised if you had heard anything about the importance of this race today.
The reason we know, is because the US Paralympic Committee sent Hubba an email and arranged for his trip. They know about him because he has met the qualifying time and was named to the US National Team earlier this year.
With as frustrating as I find the lack of publicity and information about this race, I am still amazed that we were allowed to be part of it. Maybe it's just crazy (or perhaps arrogant) to decide to try for a spot on any Olympic Team, but he did the work and found himself with a realistic shot at making that dream come true.
Alas, it was not our day. In our estimation, about 10 guys had a realistic shot at the two positions on the team. Hubba was the 6th American and therefore did not make the team today.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Vancouver Paralympics - Update #2
Many thanks to Lynda who mentioned that there will be Paralympic coverage on CTV in Canada as well as online here.
Vancouver Paralympics - Update
It turns out NBC and Universal Sports will be offering some network coverage of the Vancouver Paralympic Games. The following information was provided by the US Paralympics Newsletter.
NBC Sports
NBC Sports
- Opening Ceremony highlights – Saturday, March 13, 1-2 pm ET
- Paralympics recap – Saturday, April 10, 3-5 pm ET
- Monday, March 15 – Tuesday March 23, 7 p.m. (re-air at 11 p.m.) ET
Vancouver Paralympics
The Vancouver Winter Paralympics are starting on Friday. Like the abled-bodied Olympics, the Paralympics is the premier competition between the best athletes in winter sport.
The same venues are used. Many of the same sports are played. Some of the rules are modified. They are classified between men, women, sitting, standing and visually impared.
NBC doesn't typically provide much coverage of the US Paralympic Team and I don't think the opening ceremonies are scheduled on network tv. However, you can see all of the events live and on demand on Paralympic Sports TV.
The opening ceremonies begin at 18:00 PST, Friday, March 12.
The same venues are used. Many of the same sports are played. Some of the rules are modified. They are classified between men, women, sitting, standing and visually impared.
NBC doesn't typically provide much coverage of the US Paralympic Team and I don't think the opening ceremonies are scheduled on network tv. However, you can see all of the events live and on demand on Paralympic Sports TV.
The opening ceremonies begin at 18:00 PST, Friday, March 12.
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