The Paralympics is always outshadowed by the Olympics.
Beijing Paralympics 2008
However, the Paralympics is also one of the best sporting event. I wonder if they will broadcast it on local TV.
The Torch Relay
(BEIJING, August 22) — The flame for the Beijing Paralympic Games will be lit on August 28 at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, as announced here in Beijing on Friday, August 22.
The nine-day Paralympic torch relay will be held from August 29 until the start of the 13th Paralympic Games, Jiang Xiaoyu, executive vice-president of BOCOG, said at a press conference.
To meet the requirements of hosting equally splendid Olympic and Paralympic Games, Jiang said, the unique torch relay for the Paralympics will display the spirit of self-reliance, spread knowledge of the Paralympic Games, and raise awareness of people with disabilities.
Under the theme of “Transcendence, Integration and Equality,” a total of 850 torchbearers will go on a journey of over 13,000km through an eleven-city route that has been designed to include areas that represent the modernity and ancient timelessness of China.
The lighting ceremony of the Beijing Paralympic torch relay will take place at the Temple of Heaven at 10:30 a.m., August 28, 2008. The optical focus of a concave mirror will be used to light the Paralympic flame.
The Temple of Heaven is where ancient Chinese offered sacrifices to heaven. The lighting ceremony is in line with the Chinese concept of “integrity of man and heaven” and embodies a pursuit of “harmony between man and nature.” It is also in conformity with the emblem of the Beijing Paralympics, which features “sky, earth and human beings.”
[from Beijing Paralympics Official Site]
The Mascot
A cuter mascot than the Olympics eh?
Cows, symbolic of a down-to-earth, diligent, staunch and never-say-die spirit, are adopted to show the unremitting spirit of athletes with a disability in being the best they can be. It dovetails with the upbeat spirit of Paralympians and the concept of “Transcendence, Equality, Integration” of the Beijing Paralympic Games.
As one of the animals closest to human beings, cows are well-known for their friendliness and their affinity to the humans who care for them. Throughout the history of the development of world civilization, poetry and songs have clearly expressed the aspiration of humankind for a harmonious life. Cows have often found their way into the natural, cozy and poetic country life reflected in literary and art works, showing public expectation for the harmonious coexistence between man and nature.
Cows were one of the first animals depicted in literary and art works. Cases in point include the Lascaux mural in France and Altamira rock paintings in Spain, which all contain drawings of cows. Therefore, adopting cows as the mascot of the Paralympic Games, instead of traditional rare animals, is a creative act in terms of design to a certain extent.
[more from here]
The Games
There are many games played in the Paralympics, while they might not be as conventional, they looks really fun. The sports they play.
With disabilities doesn’t means that you can’t engage in sports. I have seen some documentries like Murder Ball, which focus on wheel chair rugby, it totally kickass.
“A film about paraplegics who play full-contact rugby in Mad Max-style wheelchairs - overcoming unimaginable obstacles to compete in the Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece.”
The Schedule
The full Paralympics will commence from 6th Sept 08 to 17th Sept 08.
[view the Full Schedule]
The Medals
Looks the same as Olympics? Look closer..
In accordance with the Olympic medal style of gold and jade, the Paralympic medals unveiled in Beijing Wednesday signifying “two Olympics, same highlights”.
The design for Paralympic medals features the Beijing Paralympic emblem in the center. Jade is inserted in the face and the rear covers the emblem of International Paralympic Committee, sports disciplines, and the English, Chinese and braille versions of “Beijing 2008 Paralympics”.
The inspiration of jade inlay comes from the fracture of ancient Chinese jade article. The gold, silver and bronze medals will carry the same design, with a finer white jade in the gold medal, a slightly darker shade in silver medal, and a green jade in the bronze medal.
[from People's Daily Online]
Lastly..
Yeah, Paralympics is a sports event that might not be important to many. It may not be on your list as more important to the Olympics or even not important at all, but do take a look when it’s ongoing, and you might be surprised, and hopefully interested.
The Highlights from Athens Paralympics 2004
5 Comments
i think its a better mascot…look more cute..
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Singapore has a good medal chance in the Paralymics in swimmer Theresa Goh, who actually broke a world record in January this year.
cool, i hope more attention will be given on her by the media.
The Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games may not be as glamorous and well-known as the Olympics, very few of us may even get a chance to see it on TV. But these Games can produce medal marvels of its own, athletes that can rival the feat of Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt out.