Comments on: Celebrating The Unsung Heroes of Sport

By: 种子罐

种子罐 — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 07:56:17 +0000

I think there is little benefit in simply increasing coverage of the Paralympics action. However, if more was done to generate demand (with inspiring documentaries, etc), then maybe the newspapers and wider media would provide the coverage. 清洗机电炉接近开关

By: The Common Humanist

The Common Humanist — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 09:01:19 +0000

I think this is tremendous change for the chinese. It is not that long ago the the Chinese Govt quietly got rid of the more severely disabled people in China – from an unmarked grave to a tremendous paraolympics in 30 years. Thats not too shabby.

By: Letters From A Tory

Letters From A Tory — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 08:48:30 +0000

Eh? What do you mean they didn’t get the “publicity or equal coverage that the special needs world knows they deserve”? Ever heard of supply and demand? If people were interested in the Paralympics, the BBC would have moved it up their agenda – but, for whatever reason, people just don’t show a huge amount of interest.

I thought the BBC Sport website’s section on the Paralympics was more than sufficient and the big headlines made it to the front page of the BBC website in any case.

http://lettersfromatory.wordpress.com

By: Paralympics » Terrorist op de Paralympics

Paralympics » Terrorist op de Paralympics — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 07:34:22 +0000

[...] Celebrating The Unsung Heroes of SportI blame this unfair contrast on the lack of coverage and publicity that was given to the Paralympics by the mainstream media. Personally, I think they were wrong to wait so long before advertising the starting date of the Paralympics. … [...]

By: Sunny

Sunny — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 03:41:21 +0000

Agree with Riz above…

By: Riz

Riz — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 00:10:56 +0000

PS – I could barely muster enough interest to watch the normal Olympics, let alone the Paralympics. I’m not going to pretend.

By: Refresh

Refresh — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 00:06:08 +0000

a timely post – Beijing has to be congratulated for making the event so significant.

Come on Sarah (and Sharique) why so timid?

Lets hope that the mainstream multi-billion dollar sportsworld will eat itself and the true Olympian spirit that remains at the heart of Paralympics will make it the predominant event.

Lets celebrate achievements of these sportpeople and the families, communities and societies that encouraged them in their chosen sport. And lets also hope they will be the catalyst for many others around the world where disability is often considered less than a meaningful existence.

But lets also fear that as they achieve greater media coverage they too become stars as opposed to role models.

Leon, an aside. I’ve long objected to and been put off by the nationalism that seems to go with the Olympics. The medal tally is the obvious measure – but not it seems the amount of cash invested for that return.

By: sarah

sarah — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 22:11:05 +0000

Another very good point, Leon.

Rumbold- maybe they should think about building bigger stadiums then…

By: Leon

Leon — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 21:10:41 +0000

It says a great deal about the treatment of these Olympics given how well Britain did in the medals table. If the main Olympics had Britain coming second we’d never hear the end of it (I mean we still bang on about winning the bloody world cup 42 years ago!) and for this….?

By: sarah

sarah — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 20:40:03 +0000

Thanks guys!

Great idea Shariq, and a very good point. We wish!

By: Amrit

Amrit — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 19:28:38 +0000

Good on you Sarah, for writing about this. I myself wondered why there were a few mentions of some of the Paralympic hopefuls on BBC News etc., and then almost no interest.

By: Rumbold

Rumbold — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 19:13:23 +0000

Seems like a good idea Sharique, but then the paralympics should have had lots of coverage this year because of all the success in the Olympics, as well as the massive medal haul of British Paralympicans. I think that there are deeper issues then when it is scheduled.

By: shariq

shariq — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 18:34:02 +0000

is there a reason why the paralympic games aren’t held before the able bodied ones? it would still be viewed as a build up, but i think people would pay more attention than they do now.

By: Rumbold

Rumbold — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 16:33:20 +0000

Good piece Sarah. I agree with a lot of what you say.

“I would just like to say that this is something that I, personally, would like the organizers of London 2012 to seriously consider doing, unless there is any really good reason why it would be completely impossible.”

Perhaps there is not enough room in the stadiums.