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.

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.

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.