Croissants and Commentary #7: The Paralympics — From Rehab Event to Elite Global Competition
Feisty Women's Performance · Dr. Erin Ayala
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Show Notes
Today, Sara and Kelly turn the spotlight on the Paralympic Games — taking place in Paris just three weeks after the Olympics.
With its start as a British rehabilitation event post-World War II, the Paralympics has since turned into a bonafide global sporting spectacle with elite athletes competing in many of the same events as their Olympic counterparts.
We're joined by USA Triathlon's Paralympic Program Manager, Lindsey Jerdonek, as well as two USA Paralympic legends, Oksana Masters and McKenzie Coan, who share insights into the challenges, misconceptions, and goals for the continued growth of the Games.
The discussion on the past, present, and future of the Paralympics includes:
- Some of these athletes' personal journeys
- Building a genuine fan base for Paralympic sports
- The classification systems in paratriathlon and other para-sports to ensure fair competition
- Unique obstacles faced by aspiring para-athletes, including the lack of resources and the needed equipment
- How do para-athletes even get into the Paralympic pipeline?
- Creating more exposure, equality, and inclusion for these athletes!
As McKenzie Coan says, "Paralympic athletes are the same elite-level competitors, just like our Olympic counterparts, but we just happen to have physical differences."
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