to wonder why America is not doing so great at the Paralympics?

[BegoniaBampot]

why are they lagging down the medals table? Surprised that China is doing so well and seem to take these sports seriously. What's the deal with the US I wonder, do they not see them as that important?

I gather there is very little support financial or otherwise for disabled sportspeople in America.

Hmm Could it be something to do with the lack of support for disabled people in the states.
No support emotionally or financially means no coaching and no money to train.

I'd agree with the lack of support. Unless the family is quite well off, just the day to day living with a disability is expensive if any special equipment is needed such as prosthetics they have to pay for them, or if they have insurance pay for their share of costs.

That's such a good question Begonia.
I've been wondering the same. How is the most powerful country on earth so far down the medals table, especially after being top in the Olympics?
I don't understand it at all.

Is this an America-bashing thread in disguise?

I posted teh same thing on facebook a few days ago. Doesn't reflect well on them as a country does it?

Apparently during the Atlanta Paralympics, parts of the Olympic park and village were already being dismantled - the Paralympics was seen as such a 2nd rate event and worthy of little respect.

No Kay - I'd be happy with an explanation that didn't involve a lack of funding/interest. Its a factual comment. I have several american friends - none of whom have been able to explain it.

I had assumed that the USA would be slugging it out with China at the top of the table.

They're not showing any of it live either - apparently highlights will be shown after the Paralympics have finished. So there's either not much public interest, or awareness is just really low.

Suspect the latter - look how much GB has got into the Paralympics this year, and America would be no different I'm sure, there's just such a low profile for disability sports which is a terrible shame. America has such a fabulous sports infrastructure they could do amazingly well with some in investment and support.

This time the American network with the broadcast rights planned to double their coverage of the Paralympics (compared to Beijing.) To two hour long programmes. After they're over.

Actually I'm wrong. It's 4 hour long highlights programmes. That includes adverts.

Er, no KayBull.
Just a question.
I'm still utterly puzzled by it.

I think that there was enough protest that NBC (who have exclusive rights) have expanded their coverage a tiny bit more. Still sod all and still not live.
Keen paralympics fans in the US are watching the highlights on YouTube.

America doesn't provide for athletes in the form of government funds or other incentives for training for the Olympics, be it the actual Olympics or Paralympics, and there isn't really a national training center for any sport. Most of the money raised for athletes comes from corporate sponsorships and grants. And as many of you are saying, unfortunately, disabled athletes just aren't a big funding draw.

Nations like China, otoh, have state run training facilities where they house and train those who show athletic prowess from a very young age. I watched a fascinating documentary somewhere online (I think it was produced by the BBC) about how China has a whole system where they identify those with an athletic gift at an early age, and put them into training facilities (where they live full-time) sometimes even before the age of 5, and they feed, provide for and train these athletes hours a day, weeding them out as they get older, and parents see this as a great honor, and willingly have their kids go live in these facilities (despite the fact that beatings and intimidation are standard there), and ridicule them if they aren't deemed good enough and get sent home.

I'm actually amused that people are puzzled. It's absolutely no surprise at all to me.

I am in the US and have seen zero newspaper coverage. Don't have a TV though. I am surprised at the lack of coverage, as there are quite a few war veterans on the US team. Bit odd for a country that is supposedly all about Our Troops.

I'm in the states, and I've seen some coverage, but it's a funding problem as Mme said. Many of the able bodied olymians from the US are basically living in poverty if their sport (or they themselves) aren't "sexy" enough for endorsements. (see women's weightlifting)

Many of the companies that do endorsing struggle to figure out how to use a Paralympian to sell their stuff. If the athlete (able bodied or otherwise) doesn't have a sponsor of some kind, they can't get the training.

there is a great sports infrastructure, but it runs on capital, not state money.

I believe the Special Olympics has a much higher profile than the Paralympics in the US. We held the 2009 Special Olympics...I was totally unaware till I watched a documentary on BBC3 last night.

If it did good ratings, I would think one of the US networks would show a bit more. Maybe the Olympic people are asking for too much money?

NBC have the rights (bought as a package with the Olympics, which recieved saturation package) and can show as much footage as they want to - they aren't charged by the hour. And they do have a dedicated sports channel to show it on. They just choose not to (and with a news operation of their own it would be easy for them to plug the US teams on the news and build interest for the broadcasts).

you know if you say anything remotely possibly slightly negative about America you'll get accused of America-bashing?

Oh, I see you already have. Shocker.

RE the OP, its because they don't value it and dont' put any money into it.

Because the helath care is nt free because health care is very costly And their is no funding for people who are disabled

I imagine because china is a communist country there is public funds for their athletes and they also do that doing for the state thing
, I am loving the chinese
GB has always been big in disability sports and with it being in london the lotttery funded loads of disabled sports clubs for training, some of the Paralympians it is there job to be an athlete and are sponsored or paid to train and win , I dont think america is like that which is sad,

I've thought about this and figured it must be because of the health care system. There is probably not as much in the way of rehabilitation and it isn't as recognised as being worth the funding. [anger]

It does make me very proud of the UK that we have these opportunities available to people, and that the Paralympics was born here. I hope that other countries, especially America, will sit up and take notice and start thinking about giving disabled athletes the funding they deserve off the back of London 2012. That really would be the best legacy possible.