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Gold medalist Daniel Andrews.
The best ever were words International Paralympic
Committee (IPC) President Dr. Robert Steadward chose to describe
the Games of the XI Paralympiad in Sydney, Australia. These were
the Games that showcased for the world Paralympians' athleticism,
perseverance, and skills. Each new day of the Games revealed more
of the power, speed, and grace bursting from athletes locked in
intense competitions-giving virtuoso performances, growing jubilant
in stunning victories, or reflective in heartfelt defeat. And,
almost magically, the Sydney Paralympic Games achieved much more.
They transcended the competitions, medal counts, the bragging
rights, to share with the world a momentous event of unbelievable
poignancy. The Australians put it all together and everyone got
behind the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games. Australians accorded
the Paralympians the same respect as the Olympians - making
these games the best!
The Paralympic Movement continues
to mature. Signs of this were everywhere-corporate sponsorship
of high profile athletes, sell-out crowds driven by overwhelming
spectator interest, signing of a major six-year media contract.
Yet, there were the less desirable signs of maturation-evidence
of banned drug use, increased security precautions, and the shake
out of less glamorous sports in favor of the flashy ones that
sell well. This article strives to present a montage of impressions
gathered during seven days of these best ever Games.
The Sydney 2000 Paralympic
Games were the world's second largest sporting event held in 2000,
the first time ever in the southern hemisphere, from October 18-29,
just 17 days after the Olympic Closing Ceremony. The word Paralympic
comes from parallel and signifies Games that are the counterpart
of the Olympic Games. Sydney Paralympic Organizing Committee (SPOC)
staff enjoyed referring to the Olympic Games as the Paralympic
dress rehearsal.
Opening
Festivities
The
Opening Ceremony was a thrilling spectacle with big name pop stars,
the dramatic parade of athletes from around the world, and 1300
school children with 10,000 liters of paint in 27 different colors
painting 300 cement sheets in a variety of patterns throughout
the Ceremony. Hot dogging athlete Atajan Begniyazo played to delighted
fans as he discarded his crutches and paraded 50 m before spectators
in a handstand. This was the first hint to the crowds that they
were about to witness 12 days of spectacular athletic accomplishments.
The
USA team paraded into the Olympic Stadium, lead by table tennis
athlete and eight-time Paralympian Mike Dempsey (Oliverhain, California).
It is noteworthy that many successful Paralympians are older than
their Olympian counterparts. Competitors with graying hair were
common sights. Age span between the youngest and oldest USA Paralympian
was 44 years. Norman Bass, a 61-year-old table tennis player who
now has rheumatoid arthritis, was a professional athlete for a
quarter of a century before Paralympic swimmer Brandi Van Anne
was born in 1987. Bass is reputed to be the first African-American
to compete in two professional sports in the same year-as a safety
for the Denver Broncos and a pitcher for the Kansas City A's.
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Paralympic Games Continue
to Grow  |
Paralympic Arts Festival
Running concurrently with
the Games, Sydney hosted a two-week Paralympic Arts Festival,
held at locations throughout the center of Sydney, as well as
at the Olympic Park. The full program featured music; dance by
Touch Compass Dance; visual, tactile, and sound arts, including
a display of Egyptian artifacts designed to be touched. Plays
with wonderfully descriptive titles - Still Waiting for that
Special Bus and The Church of 80% Sincerity - were
performed, designed to prompt viewers to come face-to-face with
personal attitudes toward disability.
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