From the very best bits to what you’ve been talking about, we’ve got the Paralympic Games 2012 covered!
Just over the halfway point in the Paralympic Games and we’ve had yet another great day of action!
Today, rather amusingly, we heard that our #disabilitycelebcrushes hashtag was mentioned on Channel 4’s Breakfast Show. Started by Co-editor Martyn a couple of days ago, we asked readers to tweet which Paralympian they have developed crushes on since the Paralympics began. Your responses have been brilliant and it just goes to show that disability does not get in the way of a good old fashioned celebrity crush!
All the Paralympics-related chat across social media has been really interesting and has covered a real mix of topics, in particular accessible transport to and from Games.
With so many disabled people heading to watch the Paralympics, it’s a great opportunity to air your views on accessibility and make a difference to London’s transport system. As part of Channel 4’s ‘No Go Britain’ campaign, they want to hear how journey’s are going, so please use the #nogobritain hashtag to tweet about your journey.
Let us know too, if you’d like to write an article on your travels; the more voices we have, the louder we will be heard!
My top 5 highlights
1. Swimming – bronze for Ellie Simmonds. In her less favoured event, the women’s S6 50m freestyle, Ellie came through to win a bronze medal. She’s fast becoming one of icons of these Games, and just hearing the crowd cheer her on and her reaction to winning a medal were just great!
2. 5-a-side Football – a taste of something new. During these Games I’ve had the chance to watch many new sports that I knew nothing about. One such sport is 5-a-side Football, which is played by people with visual impairments. The ability of the players to picture the field and position of the ball is extraordinary. I watched GB v Iran, and although we lost 1-0, it was comforting to know that our blind football team are just as hopeless at taking penalties as pretty much every other England football team of every category! Watch GB play Iran on the Channel 4 website.
3. Athletics – Felipe Gomes being awarded his medal. Brazilian Felipe won gold in the men’s T11 200m race and his samba-style celebration on the podium was just hilarious! Take a look at Felipe’s celebration.
4. Swimming – Heather Frederiksen wins backstroke gold. Heather Frederiksen retained her Paralympics S8 100m backstroke title in amazing performance. The aquatic centre is becoming a special place for Team GB and has seen some fantastic performances. Watching Heather’s elation in her TV interview was brilliant.
And the highlight taking gold is…
5. Athetics – David Weir winning gold. This probably goes without saying, but I have lost my voice from screaming at the TV urging David Weir on. In exciting race, David, who has been nicknamed the ‘Weir wolf’, stormed to victory to win gold in the mens T54 1500m. Check out David’s astounding win.
Athlete in the spotlight
Heather Frederiksen today defended her S8 100m backstroke title. Prior to her accident in 2004, Heather, who was the British 10km Open Water Champion, was working towards representing Team GB at the Beijing Olympics. After her accident she was told she would never swim again. But… did she listen?! NO! She fought her way back to win Paralympic gold in Beijing; what a champion!
Top 5 tweets
Riz Lacroix – @missrizlacroix
“@C4Paralympics Dame Ellie……nuff said”
Have I Got News For You – @bbcHIGNFY
“A new scandal hits the #Paralympics as a packed house at the Olympic Stadium spontaneously boos a man who hasn’t got a leg to stand on.”
Catherine Martin – @cath_martin
“Will I ever get the public enemy song out of my head? #paralympics”
C4 Paralympics – @C4Paralympics
“@AdeAdepitan reckons David Weir’s celebration should be to howl like a wolf. Got any better suggestions? Weir goes in the 1500m at 9.35pm”
Andy Fraser – @AndyFraserSport
“Noooooo… How much more missed penalty woe are GB football teams going to have this summer!? Remember the Olympics? #5aside #C4Paralympics”
Are you watching?
We’ve heard that there’s not been great coverage in other countries. Make sure you don’t miss out on any of the action by checking out our Definitive Guide to the Paralympics.
By Srin Madipalli
Images credited to Channel 4 and Sarah Ismail.
Check out…
• Paralympic Games 2012: day 5.
• The Last Leg: the alternative Paralympics show.
• The Paralympics Opening Ceremony: pictures from inside the stadium.
And let us know more about Paralympic sports you are involved in – email us at editor@97c.026.myftpupload.com, tweet us @DHorizons or send us a message on Facebook. Share your experiences with our community for a monumental Summer 2012!
