I can't remember who it was who said the real Olympics would start after the main hullabaloo had died down. Far from me to decry the successes of the likes of Steve Redgrave and the rest of those super heroes, but I have just watched the wrap-up of the Paralympics. To say it was a humbling experience is perhaps an understatement.

I guess it's so easy to be condecending. "Oh, poor souls, aren't they so brave." Of course they are, but let's look at it in a different perspective. To me, it was much more about the real spirit of competition. Of course money comes into it - some of the prosthetics don't come cheap, and it's a fine balance between advanced technology and human endeavour. However, I am a firm believer that investment in competition will eventually rub off in everyday life. Witness some of the spin-offs from the space programme.

But back to the point. I was amazed by some of the technology on show. A 100 metre sprint, and all competitiors had at least one lower limb missing. And I'll tell you what - they'd beat evey bugger in the Strawbeery over that distance! Hopefully, some of this will appear in everyday life in the not too distant future.

The most memorable thing for me was the 3000 metres for those with cerebal palsy. This, to me, epitomised the whole Games. There was one athlete (I'm afraid I can't remember his nationality) who apparently had arrived in Oz with little more than his athletic kit, and clearly was not going to win the event. Indeed, by the time the winner crossed the line, he still had more than 3 laps (out of 12) to go. Did he care? Did he hell. And neither did anybody fortunate enough to witness it. Despite getting caught up in the victory lap, and diverting onto the long jump runup track, he persevered and continued in his own personal race.

Even a tweaked hamstring wasn't going to stop him, and it was a joy to see an athlete enjoying hinself, the smile on his face bearing witness to this. He was a hero, and the crowd were letting him know. But sadly, the crowd's chearing turned to boos. I don't know how far he had left to run (certainly less than 3 laps), but a Jobs Worth stepped into the track and prevented him from continuing to the end. And all for what? Ten minutes at the outside, yet preventing this hero from achieving his goal.

Forget for just a few minutes those super heroes we idolise week in, week out. To me, this brought things back into perspective.

-- Anonymous, October 31, 2000

Answers

Fully agree, Screach. The athleticism and sheer determination shown was a privilege to watch.

Just a crime that it didn't/doesn't get the coverage the money-spinning one does...

-- Anonymous, November 01, 2000

Twas me originally Screach, the lad you were talking about was from East Timor. He was stopped because he should have continued running, but because the winner was celebrating his vicory, he decided to go along and help him celebrate.

Great wasn't it?

-- Anonymous, November 01, 2000