Report on the XII Paralympic Games
Athens, Greece
September 14 – September 29, 2004
Submitted by Jack Todd
Note: The bulk of this report was written on my return flight to the United States.
I always feel compelled to give a synopsis of the Paralympic Games whenever I discuss disabled sport. Many people in the United States equate the Paralympics with the Special Olympics. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The Special Olympics promotes and organizes recreational and competitive opportunities for individuals who are mentally handicapped. Participation often takes precedence over competition in Special Olympics events. To this end the Special Olympics has done a wonderful job.
Paralympic competition is for individuals who are physically disabled. Probably the best contrast I can offer between the Paralympics and Special Olympics is to name the occupations of some of the members of the 1992 United States Blind Track and Field Team (which I was fortunate to coach). This 1992 team consisted of an attorney, two schoolteachers, a general contractor, and a language specialist for the FBI. Also on this team was a young visually impaired college student by the name of Marla Runyan. Runyan, as you may remember, finished sixth in the 1500 at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.
Both movements were established in the early 1960's – the Special Olympics in the United States, the Paralympics in Europe. It was not until the late 1970's that these movements expanded their influence to other areas of the world. This in large part explains why most people in the United States have never heard of the Paralympics, and similarly why most people in Europe and other parts of the globe are not familiar with the Special Olympics.
The four major disabilities that participate in Paralympic competition are blind, amputee, wheelchair, and cerebral palsy. The sole emphasis at the Paralympics is competition. Since 1988 the Paralympics have actually been a part of the Olympics. When a nation hosts the Olympics, it must also stage the Paralympics – which are held two weeks after the Olympics using the same facilities.
Listed below are the dates and venues of the four Olympic movements, including the Deaflympics (competition for the deaf).
ITO:
My duty at the Paralympics was to serve as an International Technical Official (ITO). Our group consisted of three Americans, two British, one Australian, one Jordanian, and two people from the Netherlands. In simplest terms the duty of an ITO is to supervise the local officials. Technically we are not to interfere with the conduct of an event unless there is a clear breech of the rules or danger to the competitors. At the Paralympics we have the additional responsibly of ensuring the rule modifications for the disabled are followed. My expertise is with track and field for the blind, but I am also required to know the rule modifications for wheelchair, cerebral palsy, and amputee athletes. This is no easy task, considering that each disability is further divided into subgroups, each with its own unique set of rules.
Duties:
I'm a runner…. I love track. The sport however is track and field. It has therefore been incumbent upon me to become an expert in the minute details of each field event. In fact, of the 20 sessions that were staged at the Paralympics, I was only assigned to the track three times. I've come to enjoy the jumping events in particular. It is most impressive to witness a totally blind competitor running the length of the runway and jumping 20 feet into the pit. The worst assignments were the call room and the photo finish booth. Both are away from the competition and there are very few instances where your expertise is required.
Village:
The Paralympic Village is a site to behold. It measures approximately one mile in length and half-mile wide. There are perhaps 60 residences, most of which are three stories high. Each floor has three apartments. Each apartment has four bedrooms with two beds. That equals a "city" capable of lodging over 4,000 people, built specifically for the Olympics and Paralympics. After the Paralympics the apartments will be sold.
Doug:
My roommate, and fellow ITO, was Doug Kyle. Kyle, a Canadian, is in his mid 60's. He has a 5K PR of 13:54 and was a two-time Olympian for Canada. His best finish was sixth in the 1960 Olympics. His wife Carol held the Canadian record for the high jump in the 1950's.
Schedule:
There were two sessions of track scheduled daily. The morning session began at 9:00 and concluded at 12:00. The evening session started at 5:00 and concluded at 10:15. Transportation between the track and Village took 30 minutes (sometimes longer) and we would typically arrive one hour before the start of each session. At the conclusion of each session we were required to submit reports on the events in which we had been assigned.
On a typical day we would depart for the morning session at 7:30 a.m. and would not return until 1:30. Most often I would attempt to run at this time, grab a quick lunch at 3:00 and depart for the evening session at 3:30. Many times it was 11:00 p.m. before we returned to the Village. This necessitated an 11:30 supper.
Cafeteria:
How do you feed 4,000 athletes and another 2,000 coaches, officials, and dignitaries? The Greeks did it well, by constructing a tent that was nearly 100 yards X 100 yards. The cafeteria was open 24/7 and served an assortment of foods. There was even a McDonald's inside the tent (which I never visited). Oftentimes meals were the only time to relax during the day. It's really neat to observe competitors form across the world congregating in a single facility.
Athens:
Each ITO received three sessions in which he/she was free. Each of my "vacations" was in the morning. Twice I visited the Acropolis, Parthenon, and the agora. It was truly an amazing feeling to walk among the ruins where the likes of Plato and Aristotle once lived. What I found most interesting is that the Parthenon, which was completed in 432 BC, remained in use for 2,100 years. Then in 1687 it was inexplicably bombed by the Venetians, who were seeking to drive the Turks out of Athens. Go figure.
I found the people of Athens to be very friendly. Probably 1/3 of the officials were able to speak English to some degree. The city was relatively clean. At no time did I feel unsafe.
Pins:
Most large competitions commission a commemorative lapel pin. I have never been a collector of pins, but many people are. I have probably accumulated more the 100 pins throughout the years. The chief Call Room judge however, was a prolific collector. He had collected more that 5,000 pins and hopes to be placed into the Guinness Book of World Records
Training in Athens:
Usually when I travel I can find some really running routes. Not so in Athens. On one run I was nearly attacked by a German shepherd. The worst part is I don't believe he understood the expletives I shouted towards him! After that experience, I resorted to training inside the Village. The workout I settled upon was a set of 3 X 1 mile – straight uphill, with no curves. I literally was unable to see the finish point (smog) from my start at the bottom of the Village.
Spectators:
Although the crowds at the Athens Paralympics were never quick as large as the Sydney Paralympics in 2000, we nevertheless had 30,000 spectators on several occasions. The Greeks are great sportsmen, and showed unbridled enthusiasm for each run, jump, or throw their compatriots attempted.
Security:
One of the signs of the times is the amount of security required at international events. Each competitor/coach/ official was issued a credential, which was required to be worn at all times. Security checkpoints were placed at each entrance to the Village and stadium. Each checkpoint was equipped with metal detectors and manned by armed guards. A tall security fence defined the perimeter of the Village. Again there were armed guards stationed at various points around the fence. One wonders if a terrorist would ever attempt to disrupt a competition for disabled athletes – but governments are forced to err on the side of caution. A significant byproduct of such security measures is that it significantly increases the costs of staging an international competition. Future Olympics/Paralympics may be outside the financial means for all but the wealthiest nations in the future.
Conclusion:
The next time you see or meet a person with a disability I hope you will be able to see that person as he/she really is; a person, who just happens to have a disability. In closing I would like to mention two examples of extreme athleticism that I witnessed in Athens. The winning time in the T13 (totally blind) 400-meter was 51.10 (Jose Armando from Angola). The winning time in the T13 10,000-meters was 31:37 (Henry Wayoike form Kenya). Inspiration and awe were everywhere in Athens. Pity was nowhere to be found.
Athens, Greece
September 14 – September 29, 2004
Submitted by Jack Todd
Note: The bulk of this report was written on my return flight to the United States.
I always feel compelled to give a synopsis of the Paralympic Games whenever I discuss disabled sport. Many people in the United States equate the Paralympics with the Special Olympics. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The Special Olympics promotes and organizes recreational and competitive opportunities for individuals who are mentally handicapped. Participation often takes precedence over competition in Special Olympics events. To this end the Special Olympics has done a wonderful job.
Paralympic competition is for individuals who are physically disabled. Probably the best contrast I can offer between the Paralympics and Special Olympics is to name the occupations of some of the members of the 1992 United States Blind Track and Field Team (which I was fortunate to coach). This 1992 team consisted of an attorney, two schoolteachers, a general contractor, and a language specialist for the FBI. Also on this team was a young visually impaired college student by the name of Marla Runyan. Runyan, as you may remember, finished sixth in the 1500 at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.
Both movements were established in the early 1960's – the Special Olympics in the United States, the Paralympics in Europe. It was not until the late 1970's that these movements expanded their influence to other areas of the world. This in large part explains why most people in the United States have never heard of the Paralympics, and similarly why most people in Europe and other parts of the globe are not familiar with the Special Olympics.
The four major disabilities that participate in Paralympic competition are blind, amputee, wheelchair, and cerebral palsy. The sole emphasis at the Paralympics is competition. Since 1988 the Paralympics have actually been a part of the Olympics. When a nation hosts the Olympics, it must also stage the Paralympics – which are held two weeks after the Olympics using the same facilities.
Listed below are the dates and venues of the four Olympic movements, including the Deaflympics (competition for the deaf).
| Olympics | Paralympics | Special Olympics | Deaflympics |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000-Sydney | 2000-Sydney | 1999-Raleigh | 2001-Rome |
| 2004-Athens | 2004-Athens | 2003-Dublin | 2005-Melbourne |
| 2008-Beijing | 2008-Beijing | 2007-Shanghai | 2009-Taipei |
ITO:
My duty at the Paralympics was to serve as an International Technical Official (ITO). Our group consisted of three Americans, two British, one Australian, one Jordanian, and two people from the Netherlands. In simplest terms the duty of an ITO is to supervise the local officials. Technically we are not to interfere with the conduct of an event unless there is a clear breech of the rules or danger to the competitors. At the Paralympics we have the additional responsibly of ensuring the rule modifications for the disabled are followed. My expertise is with track and field for the blind, but I am also required to know the rule modifications for wheelchair, cerebral palsy, and amputee athletes. This is no easy task, considering that each disability is further divided into subgroups, each with its own unique set of rules.
Duties:
I'm a runner…. I love track. The sport however is track and field. It has therefore been incumbent upon me to become an expert in the minute details of each field event. In fact, of the 20 sessions that were staged at the Paralympics, I was only assigned to the track three times. I've come to enjoy the jumping events in particular. It is most impressive to witness a totally blind competitor running the length of the runway and jumping 20 feet into the pit. The worst assignments were the call room and the photo finish booth. Both are away from the competition and there are very few instances where your expertise is required.
Village:
The Paralympic Village is a site to behold. It measures approximately one mile in length and half-mile wide. There are perhaps 60 residences, most of which are three stories high. Each floor has three apartments. Each apartment has four bedrooms with two beds. That equals a "city" capable of lodging over 4,000 people, built specifically for the Olympics and Paralympics. After the Paralympics the apartments will be sold.
Doug:
My roommate, and fellow ITO, was Doug Kyle. Kyle, a Canadian, is in his mid 60's. He has a 5K PR of 13:54 and was a two-time Olympian for Canada. His best finish was sixth in the 1960 Olympics. His wife Carol held the Canadian record for the high jump in the 1950's.
Schedule:
There were two sessions of track scheduled daily. The morning session began at 9:00 and concluded at 12:00. The evening session started at 5:00 and concluded at 10:15. Transportation between the track and Village took 30 minutes (sometimes longer) and we would typically arrive one hour before the start of each session. At the conclusion of each session we were required to submit reports on the events in which we had been assigned.
On a typical day we would depart for the morning session at 7:30 a.m. and would not return until 1:30. Most often I would attempt to run at this time, grab a quick lunch at 3:00 and depart for the evening session at 3:30. Many times it was 11:00 p.m. before we returned to the Village. This necessitated an 11:30 supper.
Cafeteria:
How do you feed 4,000 athletes and another 2,000 coaches, officials, and dignitaries? The Greeks did it well, by constructing a tent that was nearly 100 yards X 100 yards. The cafeteria was open 24/7 and served an assortment of foods. There was even a McDonald's inside the tent (which I never visited). Oftentimes meals were the only time to relax during the day. It's really neat to observe competitors form across the world congregating in a single facility.
Athens:
Each ITO received three sessions in which he/she was free. Each of my "vacations" was in the morning. Twice I visited the Acropolis, Parthenon, and the agora. It was truly an amazing feeling to walk among the ruins where the likes of Plato and Aristotle once lived. What I found most interesting is that the Parthenon, which was completed in 432 BC, remained in use for 2,100 years. Then in 1687 it was inexplicably bombed by the Venetians, who were seeking to drive the Turks out of Athens. Go figure.
I found the people of Athens to be very friendly. Probably 1/3 of the officials were able to speak English to some degree. The city was relatively clean. At no time did I feel unsafe.
Pins:
Most large competitions commission a commemorative lapel pin. I have never been a collector of pins, but many people are. I have probably accumulated more the 100 pins throughout the years. The chief Call Room judge however, was a prolific collector. He had collected more that 5,000 pins and hopes to be placed into the Guinness Book of World Records
Training in Athens:
Usually when I travel I can find some really running routes. Not so in Athens. On one run I was nearly attacked by a German shepherd. The worst part is I don't believe he understood the expletives I shouted towards him! After that experience, I resorted to training inside the Village. The workout I settled upon was a set of 3 X 1 mile – straight uphill, with no curves. I literally was unable to see the finish point (smog) from my start at the bottom of the Village.
Spectators:
Although the crowds at the Athens Paralympics were never quick as large as the Sydney Paralympics in 2000, we nevertheless had 30,000 spectators on several occasions. The Greeks are great sportsmen, and showed unbridled enthusiasm for each run, jump, or throw their compatriots attempted.
Security:
One of the signs of the times is the amount of security required at international events. Each competitor/coach/ official was issued a credential, which was required to be worn at all times. Security checkpoints were placed at each entrance to the Village and stadium. Each checkpoint was equipped with metal detectors and manned by armed guards. A tall security fence defined the perimeter of the Village. Again there were armed guards stationed at various points around the fence. One wonders if a terrorist would ever attempt to disrupt a competition for disabled athletes – but governments are forced to err on the side of caution. A significant byproduct of such security measures is that it significantly increases the costs of staging an international competition. Future Olympics/Paralympics may be outside the financial means for all but the wealthiest nations in the future.
Conclusion:
The next time you see or meet a person with a disability I hope you will be able to see that person as he/she really is; a person, who just happens to have a disability. In closing I would like to mention two examples of extreme athleticism that I witnessed in Athens. The winning time in the T13 (totally blind) 400-meter was 51.10 (Jose Armando from Angola). The winning time in the T13 10,000-meters was 31:37 (Henry Wayoike form Kenya). Inspiration and awe were everywhere in Athens. Pity was nowhere to be found.