The Paralympics are more than just a sporting event. They are a powerful display of human resilience and determination. While the Olympics often receive more attention and are celebrated worldwide, many believe that the Paralympics showcase an even greater level of perseverance and strength. It is where athletes, who have faced significant challenges, rise above their limitations to compete at the highest level.
Unlike the Olympics, where athletes often have access to all the best resources and opportunities from a young age, Paralympians often face barriers that go beyond just physical training. Many of them must first overcome significant personal challenges, including dealing with their disabilities, societal stigma, and limited access to facilities and support. Competing at the Paralympics means they have already won a much harder battle against the odds, which makes their achievements even more remarkable.
The Paralympic games are filled with stories of athletes who have not just mastered their sports but have also mastered their bodies and minds. Their strength depends not on their physical abilities but on their mind. A lot of people have been calling the Olympics a mere “warm up” in front of the Paralympics. This is because the true essence of the game lies in overcoming adversity, breaking barriers, and redefining what is possible. Let’s give a few examples.
Sheetal Devi is an Indian Paralympic archer who was born with a condition called phocomelia. She was born without arms. She is the first and only female international para-archery champion without upper limbs. Sheetal Devi relies on her legs and shoulders for archery.
Avani Lekhara has won a gold medal in women’s 10m air rifle shooting. She is the first Indian woman to win two gold medals in the Games’ history. A car accident at the age of 11 left her with complete paraplegia – a condition that affects mobility and feeling of the lower body – and she was wheelchair-bound. Today, she is scripting history.
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Several people on social media are in awe of the Paralympics. Here’s what they have been saying:
Wow … Paraolympics deserve much attention than Olympics..before competing with others players.. first they compete with the odds of their own..that’s truly incredible
— 4KT WHO YOU HATE (@royal_bobby24) September 1, 2024
Wow!
That is insane control over the legs. This is one of those things that look easier than they really are.Not many people could hold their legs up with no shaking/vibration, that too while pulling on a weight.
Sheetal is great…..
— Priyank Gupta (@PriyankGupta03) September 1, 2024
This makes me cry with joy. When a person has a disability and they move forward proving that the disability does not slow them, is remarkable. This young lady is to be admired.
— Dianne Callahan (@DianneCallaha16) September 2, 2024
The Olympics is the warm up to the Paralympics because WHAT??? https://t.co/cBVXCW7BUu
— Zamalisa (@Zamalisa) September 1, 2024
The Paralympics are incredibly impressive pic.twitter.com/sbUyhfxw3U
— ً (@tylerduran21) September 2, 2024
these paralympians got more talent than those who actually have all their limbs ?? pic.twitter.com/bdTxHNNQaR
— ً (@tylerduran21) September 2, 2024
theres a reason why they held Paralympics after the Olympics. Imagine competing as a normal person after this act?
— ?’? ?????? ??????? (@davinafayette) September 2, 2024
The Olympics is the warm-up to the Paralympics because that’s where the real spirit of determination and resilience takes center stage! ??
— Zd (@Zdpaliyal) September 2, 2024
The man that got the silver in the 100m freestyle swimming had no arms, no goggles and no skin suit and was flying in that water. These guys are superheros, big ups to them ?
— ?? (@Graciethebrand) September 2, 2024
Honestly I don’t rate how the Paralympics is treated like a secondary event to the Olympics – not to undermine Olympians but the disabled have to overcome way more barriers, far more impressive. https://t.co/UTB54r4UGO
— Eddie ? (@AfcRJ_) September 2, 2024
This is why it baffles me when media will only include so called ‘able bodied’ people or people with not visible disabilities and even when writing disabled characters they’ll cast someone ‘able bodied’ it’s insane fr like they’re so many disabled people with dreams and talents- https://t.co/lepxhM59eS
— Mr Crying Room?????? (@atra_billis) September 2, 2024
The Paralympics is where we experience our resilience. The Olympics is where we get maximum entertainment. https://t.co/PGv1foaWG7
— Ayomide Aregbede ? (@ayo_aregbede) September 2, 2024
I have been giving excuses all my life for my failures … look at her … determination can make you into anything https://t.co/ceiJLnhPaF
— Dr.Prasath (@lifecycle111) September 1, 2024
It’s time we start giving the Paralympics the recognition they deserve, not as a secondary event to the Olympics, but as an inspiring and equally important celebration of human potential.