LONDON:
The Paralympic Games begin in London tonight, with China tipped to repeat their gold rush of four years ago but hosts Britain are aiming to push them hard and give home fans more reasons to cheer.
Just over two weeks after the Olympics closing ceremony, organisers have transformed sports venues and accommodation in readiness for the arrival of some 4,200 athletes with a disability and the 11-day finale to a summer of sport. The sporting action begins tomorrow, with shooting at the imposing 18th century Royal Artillery Barracks set to provide the first gold of the Games in the women’s 10m standing air rifle.
Medals are also up for grabs at the Velodrome, with the finals of the men and women’s individual pursuit, in four weight categories in judo at the ExCel Arena and at the Aquatics Centre, where 15 swimming finals are to be held. In the pool, multiple gold-medallist Natalie Du Toit is aiming to retire on a high in the sport she has dominated for more than a decade. The South African competes in seven events.
Pistorious aims for more accolades
The Games’ showpiece athletics programme gets under way on Friday, with the highlight Oscar Pistorius, who is seeking to defend his 100m, 200m and 400m titles from Beijing. Pistorius, dubbed the ‘Blade Runner’ because he runs on carbon fibre blades, made history earlier this month by becoming the first double-amputee to compete in the Olympics, when he ran in the 400m heats and 4x400m relay final.
“I have had 22 races this year,” said Pistorius. ”The Olympics was obviously very important, as are the Paralympics. In essence, we run internationally from May all the way through to September. I ran my second-fastest time last year in September. It doesn’t really matter. I’m in the right shape. I feel in great condition to be able to perform here.”
Haider leads Pakistani contingent
Pakistan has representation in the athletics events with four participants set to compete in seven different events.
Long-jumper Haider Ali, who won silver in Beijing in 2008, leads the Pakistani contingent. Mudassar Baig will compete in the 200m and 400m, Aneela Beg will compete in women’s 100m and shot-put, and Mohammad Naeem in the 800m and 1,500m.
A number of countries are also set to send athletes for the first time, including North Korea, although critics say poorer nations are at a disadvantage in the Paralympics to those that can afford increasingly high-tech gear.
Oscar Pistorius
“The Olympics was obviously very important, as are the Paralympics. I ran my second-fastest time last year in September. It doesn’t really matter. I’m in the right shape. I feel in great condition to be able to perform here.”
Mudassar Baig
“I always wanted to run like the other boys but my disability hindered that. I promised myself that one day I will run and win, and that day will come at the London Paralympics. I hope I can inspire Pakistan.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 29th, 2012.
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