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In watching Australian athletes at the Rio Paralympics, I have been immensely impressed with their attitude towards fellow competitors, and their appreciation of the support of coaches, family and friends.
Some of these athletes may have been disappointed with their performances but you would never know as they shone a torch on the positive aspects of competing at the Paralympics.
There have been numerous examples of this Paralympic spirit in the first four days of competition.
Maddison Elliot was so excited about fellow Australian Lakeisha Patterson winning gold and breaking the world record in the Women’s 400m Freestyle. During the post-race interview, she had the biggest smile and wanted to hug Patterson for her achievement. For Elliott, the interview was all about Patterson even though she just missed out on a medal in coming fourth.
Several days later Elliott as a 17-year-old won her first individual Paralympic gold medal by winning the Women’s 100m Freestyle in a Paralympic record. Elliott was more concerned with dedicating her medal to her friend Jade who had recently died and that her friend would be proud of her achievements. What wonderful empathy for others in a time of triumph.
Daniel Fox was one of the favourites for the men’s 200m freestyle but was more than happy with his bronze medal. During the post-race interview, he spent a great deal of time in thanking his family. I was surprised to hear that even his neighbour had travelled to Rio to watch him race.
This to me highlighted the fantastic support that family and friends provide to our Paralympians and it is foremost on their minds.
Brad Scott who had won medals at the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Paralympics finished sixth in the Men’s 1500 T37. During his post-race interview, he pleaded with young children with a disability to become involved in sport.
He said “Your disability doesn’t have to be your excuse, it can be your greatest opportunity” and concluded by stating “become a Paralympian to do yourself and your country proud.”
This may be Scott’s last Paralympics and this was his way of passing on the baton. Scott clearly understands the importance of being a role model and an advocate for disability sport.
Kurt Fearnley after his men’s 5000m T53/54 heat said “I have my family over there in the stands and my other family in the village with me”. This highlights the fantastic comradery in the Australian team even though there are a wide range of disabilities including cerebral palsy, amputees, spinal cord injuries, vision impaired and intellectual disabilities and such as vast age range.
Being a member of the Australian team means that you are a member of a special family that looks out for each other. Australian Paralympic Committee made a great decision in making him and Daniela Di Toro co-captains. Maybe the Australian Olympic Committee should the path of co-captains.
Finally, there was Todd Hodgetts from Tasmania who is known as ‘The Hulk’. He came into the Paralympics as the reigning 2012 London and 2015 World Champion. He struggled early in the competition but in the last round threw the shot put 15.82 which led him to winning bronze. The distance was only 1cm under the throw that won him gold at the 2015 World Championships.
After the London Paralympics, an elbow injury impacted on his training but he didn’t use this as an excuse. In his post-event interview, Hodgetts said “I came back like the champion that I am. All you have to do is beat yourself.” While disappointed he acknowledged the winner who broke the world record and was very proud of his achievement. He vowed to come back stronger than ever.
It is very interesting to compare the post-event interviews of Australian Olympians and Paralympians. With many Olympians you have the feeling that winning gold is so important but for Paralympians doing their best and acknowledging other competitors, coaches, family and friends is of prime importance.
Maybe this is because sport is so integral to their lives and well-being. Libby Kosmala summed it up after competing in her 12th Paralympics by stating: “Paralympics has given me a life. Sport has given me a life.”