Category: Sports

Spectator Sport: The Olympic Event I Look Forward to the Most

Daily writing prompt
What Olympic sports do you enjoy watching the most?
View all responses
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The Olympics – who can resist watching it? It’s a global event that brings together the best athletes from around the world to compete in various sports. If you’re looking for a recommendation on which Olympic sport to watch, I highly suggest the winter sports of Bobsleigh, Luge, and Skeleton. Out of these three, Bobsleigh is my ultimate favourite. This sport is an adrenaline rush, with high speeds and thrilling turns that will leave you breathless. You can’t afford to blink, or you might miss the action.

I’m curious, what’s your favourite Olympic (or Paralympic) sport? Is it swimming, shooting, or perhaps Boccia? Let’s discuss and share our thoughts on the excitement and thrill of the Olympic Games. As a global event, the Olympics brings together people from all walks of life to celebrate the spirit of competition and sportsmanship. It’s a time to witness the incredible feats of human strength, endurance, and skill. So, whether you’re a die-hard sports fan or just a casual observer, there’s something for everyone at the Olympics. Let’s embrace the excitement and cheer on our favourite athletes as they strive for gold.

4 person bobsleigh team in action.
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
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Accessible play for all.

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Play is an essential part of childhood, and every child deserves access to it. Unfortunately, many playgrounds and outdoor activities are not designed with accessibility in mind, leaving children with disabilities or impairments unable to participate fully. This lack of inclusivity can cause feelings of exclusion and isolation in children, which can have long-term consequences on their mental health.

The Importance of Accessible Play

Play is crucial for a child’s physical, emotional, cognitive, and social development. It helps them learn important skills such as problem-solving, communication, creativity, and teamwork. Play also promotes physical activity and healthy lifestyles. However, many children with disabilities or impairments face barriers when it comes to accessing play.

These websites have some great ideas, and advice. https://www.sensorytrust.org.uk/resources/guidance/inclusive-play

https://www.nhs.uk/healthier-families/activities/accessible-activities/

https://thewfa.org.uk/

Another post about access: https://mixedupmilly.uk/2022/11/08/what-is-accessibilty/

Fast-paced and thrilling.

As a wheelchair user, choices of sports to participate in have always been somewhat limited for me. One sport I loved playing as a teenager was wheelchair hockey. It was fast and exciting.

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Wheelchair hockey is a wildly exciting and inclusive sport that has grown in popularity over recent years. It is a game where players roll around on their wheelchairs and use specially designed sticks to manoeuvre the puck.

The game combines elements of ice hockey, basketball, and soccer into an incredibly fast-paced and thrilling competition. What makes this sport particularly unique is that it welcomes players with all physical abilities, making it a great way for disabled individuals to engage in an active sporting community.

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Wheelchair hockey teams can be found around the world, competing at local tournaments or taking part in international competitions. So whether you’re an experienced player or someone who’s never even held a stick before, wheelchair hockey has something to offer everyone who loves sports!

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See it, shoot it.

One sport I do enjoy, and can do reasonably well is target shooting.

I shoot at a wheelchair accessible indoor shooting range. I shoot using an air pistol.

The range is a 10 metre target shooting range, members use either a rifle or pistol. Some use club guns, whilst others have their own gun which they use.

Paper target which shows my score as being 48 out of a possible 50. There are 5 shot holes in the target.

Disability Gym

The gym doesn’t always feel like somewhere a wheelchair user might feel they can go and enjoy comfortably for many reasons

1. You feel you stand out a mile and can’t help but imagine everyone thinks you should not be there and don’t belong. Well forget them if they can’t be friendly and welcoming

2. Is there actually any equipment here that I can use? Any good gym should have a personal trainer who is willing to work with you and discuss what you can physically do safely, and from that create your own personal routine using the range of equipment you are able to use safely.

3. Access issues. If you want to join a gym then send an email, Facebook messenger, or give them a call to see what there attitude and access is like. Take notice of how they respond and how welcoming they sound, that’s a first impression of what they might be like at the gym itself.

4. What’s is your goal, what benefit do you hope to gain from going to the gym, is it realistic? If you want to get generally fitted, lose a bit of weight, or just tone up a bit go for it. If you have unrealistic ideas, you’ll be disappointed.

5. Is it safe for me to use a gym? If you’re unsure about your health/disability being a barrier to using the gym safely then have a word with your GP, Consultant or other medical expert who knows you and your condition about it first.

Pair of purple hand weights.

Supporting Disabled Persons Beyond 9-5: A Call for Equitable Care

Sports….

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If you started a sports team, what would the colours and mascot be?

If I was to start a sports team, well that would be highly unlikely for a start, but supposing for a moment that I did. The colours I’d opt for would be…..
Red and gold, bright and show a hint of the fire and energy from the soul of the team members. Colours that can be seen easily and not forgotten.

If I did start a sports team, I reckon it would have to be a wheelchair hockey team. I loved playing hockey as a teenager.

My current sport is target shooting (paper targets), but this is more of an individual sport really.