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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to ask about the paraolympics?

78 replies

BlueBirdsNest · 30/08/2012 14:41

Do people with the same disabilities compete with each other?

I've just the shooting, swimming and the equestrian event and it seems .........in my opinion....that the events are segregated and only people with the same disability compete in the events?

OP posts:
blueraincoat · 30/08/2012 15:25

I don't understand why the BBC need to host both, it isn't like Channel 4 is a premium channel... we all get the BBC and Channel 4 Smile

Original poster
BlueBirdsNest · 30/08/2012 15:25

nothing wrong with with channel 4!

I'm watching the cycling now and do not the scoring?

OP posts:
Original poster
BlueBirdsNest · 30/08/2012 15:27

*understand

I'm now reading through the link provided ......thank you

OP posts:
headfairy · 30/08/2012 15:30

Bluebirds.. it's not that BBC weren't interested, but it was a case of sharing the spoils otherwise the BBC gets accused of dominating the rights and not letting any other broadcaster get access to them.

complexnumber · 30/08/2012 15:32

"I won't look at the BBC site as I think it Channel 4 that is covering the paraolympics?"

Dear OP, please may I open your eyes a little , the BBC actually covers quite a few things that might not appear on your telly.

The BBC remit has always been to Inform, Entertain and Educate.

It is possibly the best source of information you are likely to come across in the entire web.

It's not just telly.

Nymia · 30/08/2012 15:45

mrsjay Oscar Pistorius was said to have an advantage because of the extra spring in his blade prostheses, but given that he needs to be running upright to run on his blades, he cannot use the momentum of the starting block in the same way as other athletes, so any advantage he gained was neutralised. Or so the BBC man said!

Mrsjay · 30/08/2012 15:47

so any advantage he gained was neutralised. Or so the BBC man said!

It was all sorted out but some of the runners did complain about him

he is also known as blade runner and the fastest man with no legs

Original poster
BlueBirdsNest · 30/08/2012 15:55

how is it fair in the cycling!

There were two guys with only one leg , and one guy with only arm , racing againest folk with four limbs!

That can't be fair

OP posts:
headfairy · 30/08/2012 15:57

I imagine the folk with four limbs in the cycling have visual impairments, so it's not exactly as it may initially seem.

Nymia · 30/08/2012 15:57

Well, his times still weren't good enough to get him a medal against able-bodied* athletes. And I think people will complain about anyone they see as a threat - look at the controversy over Ye Shiwen, Caster Semenya etc - it's a competition after all and lots of the competing is done behind the scenes too...

  • I can't help thinking able-bodied is a stupid phrase to use about someone like Pistorius - the man is perfectly able, just missing a few bits.
blueraincoat · 30/08/2012 15:58

Just because they have 4 limbs doesn't mean they are all in working order... Maybe they have reduced mobility or something, what classification was the race?

DawnOfTheDee · 30/08/2012 16:03

I feel a bit sorry for Pistorius. He's allowed to race in the Olympics but if he'd have won I think there would be much 'he's got an advantage because of the bounce in his blades'. So basically he can race in the Olympics as long as he doesn't win...

blueraincoat · 30/08/2012 16:05

DawnOfTheDee I sadly totally agree with you. When they talk about his unfair advantage I want to scream at the television the man is missing part of his legs, it is in no way an unfair advantage.

Original poster
BlueBirdsNest · 30/08/2012 16:05

still i'ts a lot harder to cycle a bike if you are missing a leg

OP posts:
MissKeithLemon · 30/08/2012 16:05

OP - The cycling all race, but those with severe disabilities get the time recalculated according to disadvantage. Kayano answered your last question further upthread before you had asked it Confused

Are you not reading the replies.

Also its Paralympics not Para-Olympics.

Original poster
BlueBirdsNest · 30/08/2012 16:11

i know the basketball..............they have to pick people with differing levels of disabilty to add up to a maxium of 14..................

The paralympics sucks

OP posts:
Original poster
BlueBirdsNest · 30/08/2012 16:12

I think not having a leg might by considered a disadvantage

OP posts:
Kayano · 30/08/2012 16:13

You are so ignorant its hurting my brain

Kayano · 30/08/2012 16:13

You don't acknowledge at all

headfairy · 30/08/2012 16:15

BlueBirds... The paralympics sucks

are you being deliberately antagonistic???

What is your point exactly. People have pointed out numerous time there is a classification system. It's very complicated and maybe you haven't fully read up on it, but presumably it's considered acceptible by those competing so why do you care?

Original poster
BlueBirdsNest · 30/08/2012 16:17

I suppose the good thing is they don't call it the 'Special' olympics anymore MissKeithLemon

OP posts:
Original poster
BlueBirdsNest · 30/08/2012 16:18

because I myself have a disability .....and I'm finding a lot of patronizing

OP posts:
Original poster
BlueBirdsNest · 30/08/2012 16:19

it

OP posts:
Kewcumber · 30/08/2012 16:19

"Channel four have done such a good job explaining the categories and the commentary is good!"

What Kayano said earlier - go and listen to the commentary it really is very explanatory. I have learnt loads.

It also explains that athletes are assessed on their ability to perform their sport not their disability generally in day to day life. So they don't assess whether someone with no arms has a similar level of disability to someone with Cp they assess whether they have a similar disability when applied to say swimming 100m breaststroke.

CakeBump · 30/08/2012 16:20

I can only speak with experience of the equestrian events, but there are tonnes of classifications and sub classifications so that the competitors are (as far as possible) competing against people with a similar level of disability.

It can be fairly controversial, as often the distinctions are fine ones, and with therapy/medical intervention/deterioration competitors can move up or down the grades.