THE PARALYMPICS

The Paralympics Games are the equivalent to the Olympics for the world's top athletes with a disability.  The intent of the Paralympics is to concentrate on the athlete's achievements rather than the disability.  Athletes at the Paralympics include paraplegics, tetraplegics, amputees, blind and cerebal palsied individuals, "les autres", and those with an intellectual disability.  The Games are held every four years, just after the Olympic Games and at the same venues.

MY EXPERIENCE AT THE GAMES

For most of my life I have dreamed of someday competing against the best in the world.  The 2000 Paralympics in Sydney gave me that opportunity.  The experience proved to be far better than I had dreamed.  When the time came to leave Sydney, I was sad to go.  Sydney did such a wonderful job organizing and preparing for the Games.  From conversations with other athletes that had been to previous Paralympics, the general feeling was that Sydney did the best job to date of hosting the Paralympics. I did far better than I had expected in my events.  I won the 200, 400, 800, 1500, and placed second in the 100.  I set four Paralympic records and had one personal best. I am truly grateful that my first experience at the Paralympics was in Sydney.  I cannot think of one thing that I would change throughout my stay in the Olympic Village.  If you would like to read stories from my experience at the Paralympics, click HERE.

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PHOTOS FROM SYDNEY