Para Olympics
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So I am watching the Para Olympics by chance the other day and I see show jumping. Horses. Jumping. Carrying people around on their backs. Just how is this a Para Olympic sport? The horses arent missing limbs are they? Look, having a rider who is partially sighted, missing part of a limb or some such isnt going to make any difference to the ability of a completely sound and fit horse to jump over some logs! And before you say they can't hang on I an sure given the prothetics available today special ones can be made that do a better job than a stirrup! I had a similar thought a few years ago watching the Para Olympics 800m hurdles for those with a learing disability. A learning disability? ust how does that make them run any different to someone in the true Olymppics? A bit thick they might be but it doesnt stop them running! If they wanted to make it fair they should have people asking them quesitons at each hurdle. Things like 'pi to 3 decimal places' or 'whats that on your vest', you know, things to test their ability to focus and think under stress. Anyway, I find the Para Olympics a bit odd at times. --edit-- Dont forget to look at the message icon. :)
BTW, What is this Para Olympics of which you speak. I have heard nothing of this strange thing. Perhaps you mean Paralympics, for that is what everyone else in the world except for those with learning difficulties, call it.
--------------------------------- I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave CCC Link[^]
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So I am watching the Para Olympics by chance the other day and I see show jumping. Horses. Jumping. Carrying people around on their backs. Just how is this a Para Olympic sport? The horses arent missing limbs are they? Look, having a rider who is partially sighted, missing part of a limb or some such isnt going to make any difference to the ability of a completely sound and fit horse to jump over some logs! And before you say they can't hang on I an sure given the prothetics available today special ones can be made that do a better job than a stirrup! I had a similar thought a few years ago watching the Para Olympics 800m hurdles for those with a learing disability. A learning disability? ust how does that make them run any different to someone in the true Olymppics? A bit thick they might be but it doesnt stop them running! If they wanted to make it fair they should have people asking them quesitons at each hurdle. Things like 'pi to 3 decimal places' or 'whats that on your vest', you know, things to test their ability to focus and think under stress. Anyway, I find the Para Olympics a bit odd at times. --edit-- Dont forget to look at the message icon. :)
BilliousBob wrote:
Anyway, I find the Para Olympics a bit odd at times.
I got the same with the normal games, until I remember that it's a show. Same with this. It doesn't have to be "fair", it only needs to be a bit entertaining. And it needs be on TV, with sponsors.
Bastard Programmer from Hell :suss: if you can't read my code, try converting it here[^]
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BilliousBob wrote:
Anyway, I find the Para Olympics a bit odd at times.
I got the same with the normal games, until I remember that it's a show. Same with this. It doesn't have to be "fair", it only needs to be a bit entertaining. And it needs be on TV, with sponsors.
Bastard Programmer from Hell :suss: if you can't read my code, try converting it here[^]
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BilliousBob wrote:
Just how is this a Para Olympic sport?
I don't know the exact categories for this sport, but, say, sitting balanced atop a cantering horse when you only have one leg is quite hard, I'd imagine... Or try steering a horse that's been trained the British style when you only have one working arm... That's not impossible if the horse is used to it, but it can confuse the beast.
BilliousBob wrote:
I had a similar thought a few years ago watching the Para Olympics 800m hurdles for those with a learing disability. A learning disability? ust how does tat make them run any different to someone in the trye Olymppics? A bit thivk they miuht be but it doesnt stop them running!
For a distance as long as 800m part of the skill of the sport is pacing. If you have severe learning difficulties, that ability can be limited. Also for some hurdle events you have to have the intelligence to remember/ work out that you have to change your leading leg at some point. You also need to know your own step count so that you ALWAYS run at the same step size and jump with the same leg otherwise you'd put yourself at a severe disadvantage.
Almost, but not quite, entirely unlike... me...
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Eddy Vluggen wrote:
it's a show
Wow, not sure what you mean with that. And AFAIK, paralympics is neither on TV nor sponsored.
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Eddy Vluggen wrote:
it's a show
Wow, not sure what you mean with that. And AFAIK, paralympics is neither on TV nor sponsored.
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BTW, What is this Para Olympics of which you speak. I have heard nothing of this strange thing. Perhaps you mean Paralympics, for that is what everyone else in the world except for those with learning difficulties, call it.
--------------------------------- I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave CCC Link[^]
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Why?
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Why?
It's not something I like to watch. I love the Olympics. And the winner of the 100M can say he is the fastest man over that distance in the World or the winner of the 200m breaststroke is the fastest swimmer at that distance in the world. I do not see the point in having a competition two weeks later to determine who is the fastest person with a learning disability. Or who is the fastest swimmer with one leg, or which hayfever sufferer can jump the furthest. I don't think it should be given any significance, and in the rest of the world it quite rightly isn't.
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It's not something I like to watch. I love the Olympics. And the winner of the 100M can say he is the fastest man over that distance in the World or the winner of the 200m breaststroke is the fastest swimmer at that distance in the world. I do not see the point in having a competition two weeks later to determine who is the fastest person with a learning disability. Or who is the fastest swimmer with one leg, or which hayfever sufferer can jump the furthest. I don't think it should be given any significance, and in the rest of the world it quite rightly isn't.
You are under no obligation to watch it. I happen to think it is inspiring how some people overcome physical and mental difficulties and compete at paralympic level.
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Oh yawn yawn yawn, here comes the pedant. Didn't you get enough of a hint that your posts on this thread are already banal?
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So I am watching the Para Olympics by chance the other day and I see show jumping. Horses. Jumping. Carrying people around on their backs. Just how is this a Para Olympic sport? The horses arent missing limbs are they? Look, having a rider who is partially sighted, missing part of a limb or some such isnt going to make any difference to the ability of a completely sound and fit horse to jump over some logs! And before you say they can't hang on I an sure given the prothetics available today special ones can be made that do a better job than a stirrup! I had a similar thought a few years ago watching the Para Olympics 800m hurdles for those with a learing disability. A learning disability? ust how does that make them run any different to someone in the true Olymppics? A bit thick they might be but it doesnt stop them running! If they wanted to make it fair they should have people asking them quesitons at each hurdle. Things like 'pi to 3 decimal places' or 'whats that on your vest', you know, things to test their ability to focus and think under stress. Anyway, I find the Para Olympics a bit odd at times. --edit-- Dont forget to look at the message icon. :)
==================================== Transvestites - Roberts in Disguise! ====================================
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So I am watching the Para Olympics by chance the other day and I see show jumping. Horses. Jumping. Carrying people around on their backs. Just how is this a Para Olympic sport? The horses arent missing limbs are they? Look, having a rider who is partially sighted, missing part of a limb or some such isnt going to make any difference to the ability of a completely sound and fit horse to jump over some logs! And before you say they can't hang on I an sure given the prothetics available today special ones can be made that do a better job than a stirrup! I had a similar thought a few years ago watching the Para Olympics 800m hurdles for those with a learing disability. A learning disability? ust how does that make them run any different to someone in the true Olymppics? A bit thick they might be but it doesnt stop them running! If they wanted to make it fair they should have people asking them quesitons at each hurdle. Things like 'pi to 3 decimal places' or 'whats that on your vest', you know, things to test their ability to focus and think under stress. Anyway, I find the Para Olympics a bit odd at times. --edit-- Dont forget to look at the message icon. :)
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So I am watching the Para Olympics by chance the other day and I see show jumping. Horses. Jumping. Carrying people around on their backs. Just how is this a Para Olympic sport? The horses arent missing limbs are they? Look, having a rider who is partially sighted, missing part of a limb or some such isnt going to make any difference to the ability of a completely sound and fit horse to jump over some logs! And before you say they can't hang on I an sure given the prothetics available today special ones can be made that do a better job than a stirrup! I had a similar thought a few years ago watching the Para Olympics 800m hurdles for those with a learing disability. A learning disability? ust how does that make them run any different to someone in the true Olymppics? A bit thick they might be but it doesnt stop them running! If they wanted to make it fair they should have people asking them quesitons at each hurdle. Things like 'pi to 3 decimal places' or 'whats that on your vest', you know, things to test their ability to focus and think under stress. Anyway, I find the Para Olympics a bit odd at times. --edit-- Dont forget to look at the message icon. :)