Yes, the Olympics are still on...the Paralympics started on Saturday and we were at the Cube on Sunday morning to see the start of the swimming trials. We were all pretty excited to get inside the Cube and to see these athletes compete. For one, a former student athlete of Mark's from Eden Prairie, Melissa Stockwell, is swimming this week so there was a personal connection. For another, a Paralympic athlete spoke at ISB this week. He was an Olympic contender in the hurdles when he hyperextended his knee in practice, wrecked the artery, and had to have his leg amputated. He continued training and won a silver medal at the Syndey Paralympic games. He invited us to a dinner with about 20 teenagers, all with physical disabilities, who were attending after winning an essay contest. That night he told a story about a student who was an essay winner 4 years ago, attended the Paralympics, and is now competing in Beijing!
"Wet" described the day...the weather, the decor, the events...the lobby of the Cube is minimalist, but water everywhere. The kids are standing in front of a pool and a wall of cascading water. The cubes that are visible from the outside are also visible inside in the halls...it really does feel like you are in a bubble!
The pool--is cool. It's HUGE, but the seating is steep and swimming is an event where watching it from overhead works just fine. The athletes are organized to compete against others with similar disabilities, so there are a lot of heats of every trial. Athletes can start from a variety of positions--on the platforms, in the water, supported by coaches--to accommodate their various needs. It was quite humb
ling to watch them. Not only have they committed themselves to training as hard as any other Olympic athlete, they have had to overcome all the issues associated with being/becoming disabled. They have persisted where so many would have given up and are a real inspiration to children and other adults in similar situations. It's also a valuable opportunity to break down barriers and stereotypes in countries where people with disabilities are so often hidden away, ignored, or abandoned. A couple people mentioned feeling uncomfortable with a curiosity combined with a different perspective on physical space as people at the airport or on the street got up close and personal to see the differences (in skin color, dress, hair, or disability) for themselves!
ling to watch them. Not only have they committed themselves to training as hard as any other Olympic athlete, they have had to overcome all the issues associated with being/becoming disabled. They have persisted where so many would have given up and are a real inspiration to children and other adults in similar situations. It's also a valuable opportunity to break down barriers and stereotypes in countries where people with disabilities are so often hidden away, ignored, or abandoned. A couple people mentioned feeling uncomfortable with a curiosity combined with a different perspective on physical space as people at the airport or on the street got up close and personal to see the differences (in skin color, dress, hair, or disability) for themselves!
It was great to watch Melissa swim (they are wearing the same suits as the other Olympians--very impressive up close!). She swam the 100m butterfly, which is not her best event, but we cheered loudly and said "hi" after. She will be competing in the 400m later this week, an event in which she is the American record-holder. Good luck, Melissa!
1 comment:
So Mark, Is Melissa related to Kelly Hanson Stockwell, and Andrew?Stockwell? I sure remember her name, but you know how that goes?
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