Paralympics, do you care?????

sggggggg wrote:

No, don't care. wrote:

Maybe this is an unpopular opinion or maybe I'm just a jerk (I'm sure some will say I am), but the Paralympics gets so much more attention than it deserves. These are people who are the top of their field, but that field is so incredibly diluted that I just don't care. These are not the "best of the best." They are the best of people who have some sort of disability. And they aren't even the best of all people with a disability, but they are the best of a small subset of disabilities because there are so many different Paralympic categories it's kind of a joke. Almost none of these people would be professional athletes if they were able bodied. On the other hand, probably half my college track team (decent DI school, but not top tier DI) could have been paralympians if they were willing to give up a limb. That's not to say they aren't great athletes, but it's just not world class sport.

I'm happy the Paralympics exist for people who have had tragic accidents or were born with some kind of defect; it's good that they have that opportunity. But let's be real, it's pretty much charity. and the fact that some of the top paralympians complain that their sport doesn't get enough attention or they don't get enough money is insane. I think it's those type of comments that really turn me off the paralympics. Also how wheelchair racing has somehow cemented itself as part of the world marathon majors and steals an obnoxious amount of the TV coverage.

PS - If I've offended anyone, maybe it will help my case that I have a similar opinion about most sports at the Winter Olympics. The Winter Olympics is a few pegs above Paralympics, but still way below most sports at the Summer Games. Why do I say this? Because like the Paralympics, Winter Olympians are the best of a smaller subset of people. Relatively rich people born in a country with a winter climate. How many Kenyans do you see on the slopes at the Winter Games? Meanwhile, you can be born into poverty in a dirt poor country and still become the best sprinter or distance runner in the world if you have the talent. Being the best at curling or snowboarding is just not the same as being the best sprinter or distance runner in the world.

From someone who, for years, has worked with several Paralympic athletes (including 4 medallists), I agree 100% with this post.

No, don't care. wrote:

Maybe this is an unpopular opinion or maybe I'm just a jerk (I'm sure some will say I am), but the Paralympics gets so much more attention than it deserves. These are people who are the top of their field, but that field is so incredibly diluted that I just don't care. These are not the "best of the best." They are the best of people who have some sort of disability. And they aren't even the best of all people with a disability, but they are the best of a small subset of disabilities because there are so many different Paralympic categories it's kind of a joke. Almost none of these people would be professional athletes if they were able bodied. On the other hand, probably half my college track team (decent DI school, but not top tier DI) could have been paralympians if they were willing to give up a limb. That's not to say they aren't great athletes, but it's just not world class sport.

I'm happy the Paralympics exist for people who have had tragic accidents or were born with some kind of defect; it's good that they have that opportunity. But let's be real, it's pretty much charity. and the fact that some of the top paralympians complain that their sport doesn't get enough attention or they don't get enough money is insane. I think it's those type of comments that really turn me off the paralympics. Also how wheelchair racing has somehow cemented itself as part of the world marathon majors and steals an obnoxious amount of the TV coverage.

PS - If I've offended anyone, maybe it will help my case that I have a similar opinion about most sports at the Winter Olympics. The Winter Olympics is a few pegs above Paralympics, but still way below most sports at the Summer Games. Why do I say this? Because like the Paralympics, Winter Olympians are the best of a smaller subset of people. Relatively rich people born in a country with a winter climate. How many Kenyans do you see on the slopes at the Winter Games? Meanwhile, you can be born into poverty in a dirt poor country and still become the best sprinter or distance runner in the world if you have the talent. Being the best at curling or snowboarding is just not the same as being the best sprinter or distance runner in the world.

No, don't care. wrote:

Maybe this is an unpopular opinion or maybe I'm just a jerk (I'm sure some will say I am), but the Paralympics gets so much more attention than it deserves. These are people who are the top of their field, but that field is so incredibly diluted that I just don't care. These are not the "best of the best." They are the best of people who have some sort of disability. And they aren't even the best of all people with a disability, but they are the best of a small subset of disabilities because there are so many different Paralympic categories it's kind of a joke. Almost none of these people would be professional athletes if they were able bodied. On the other hand, probably half my college track team (decent DI school, but not top tier DI) could have been paralympians if they were willing to give up a limb. That's not to say they aren't great athletes, but it's just not world class sport.

I'm happy the Paralympics exist for people who have had tragic accidents or were born with some kind of defect; it's good that they have that opportunity. But let's be real, it's pretty much charity. and the fact that some of the top paralympians complain that their sport doesn't get enough attention or they don't get enough money is insane. I think it's those type of comments that really turn me off the paralympics. Also how wheelchair racing has somehow cemented itself as part of the world marathon majors and steals an obnoxious amount of the TV coverage.

PS - If I've offended anyone, maybe it will help my case that I have a similar opinion about most sports at the Winter Olympics. The Winter Olympics is a few pegs above Paralympics, but still way below most sports at the Summer Games. Why do I say this? Because like the Paralympics, Winter Olympians are the best of a smaller subset of people. Relatively rich people born in a country with a winter climate. How many Kenyans do you see on the slopes at the Winter Games? Meanwhile, you can be born into poverty in a dirt poor country and still become the best sprinter or distance runner in the world if you have the talent. Being the best at curling or snowboarding is just not the same as being the best sprinter or distance runner in the world.

No, don't care. wrote:

Maybe this is an unpopular opinion or maybe I'm just a jerk (I'm sure some will say I am), but the Paralympics gets so much more attention than it deserves. These are people who are the top of their field, but that field is so incredibly diluted that I just don't care. These are not the "best of the best." They are the best of people who have some sort of disability. And they aren't even the best of all people with a disability, but they are the best of a small subset of disabilities because there are so many different Paralympic categories it's kind of a joke. Almost none of these people would be professional athletes if they were able bodied. On the other hand, probably half my college track team (decent DI school, but not top tier DI) could have been paralympians if they were willing to give up a limb. That's not to say they aren't great athletes, but it's just not world class sport.

I'm happy the Paralympics exist for people who have had tragic accidents or were born with some kind of defect; it's good that they have that opportunity. But let's be real, it's pretty much charity. and the fact that some of the top paralympians complain that their sport doesn't get enough attention or they don't get enough money is insane. I think it's those type of comments that really turn me off the paralympics. Also how wheelchair racing has somehow cemented itself as part of the world marathon majors and steals an obnoxious amount of the TV coverage.

PS - If I've offended anyone, maybe it will help my case that I have a similar opinion about most sports at the Winter Olympics. The Winter Olympics is a few pegs above Paralympics, but still way below most sports at the Summer Games. Why do I say this? Because like the Paralympics, Winter Olympians are the best of a smaller subset of people. Relatively rich people born in a country with a winter climate. How many Kenyans do you see on the slopes at the Winter Games? Meanwhile, you can be born into poverty in a dirt poor country and still become the best sprinter or distance runner in the world if you have the talent. Being the best at curling or snowboarding is just not the same as being the best sprinter or distance runner in the world.

Just Another Hobby Jogger wrote:

No, don't care. wrote:

PS - If I've offended anyone, maybe it will help my case that I have a similar opinion about most sports at the Winter Olympics. The Winter Olympics is a few pegs above Paralympics, but still way below most sports at the Summer Games. Why do I say this? Because like the Paralympics, Winter Olympians are the best of a smaller subset of people. Relatively rich people born in a country with a winter climate. How many Kenyans do you see on the slopes at the Winter Games? Meanwhile, you can be born into poverty in a dirt poor country and still become the best sprinter or distance runner in the world if you have the talent. Being the best at curling or snowboarding is just not the same as being the best sprinter or distance runner in the world.

The same can be said about NFL players. They are the best of a smaller subset of people.

Meanwhile you can be born into poverty in a dirt poor country and still become a world class soccer player.