So far, 2024 has been a year filled with American pride as people travel to Paris to represent the United States of America.
The Paralympic Games occur every four years, officially beginning in the year 1960 in Rome, Italy. This event allows people with disabilities to participate in sports that are just like the Olympics, but more suitable for them. Just this year, the United States won 36 gold medals, 42 silver, and 27 bronze, placing third internationally. Events included blind football, para swimming, wheelchair basketball, para-archery, wheelchair tennis and much more.
Elizabeth Reynolds (10) watched the Paralympics and looks up to the Paralympic athletes.
“It is inspiring to never give up on your dreams even if they are harder to achieve. During the Paralympics, I felt very inspired to do hard things because if all these athletes who face challenges every day could chase their dreams, so can I,” Reynolds said.
In this year’s Paris Paralympics, there were many incredible athletes that viewers will remember forever. For example, Gabrielzinho Araújo is a Brazilian swimmer who was born with Phocomelia, a rare congenital condition that results in shortened limbs. Despite his disability, he dominated the men’s 100-meter and 50-meter freestyle with a remarkable performance. This is his third gold medal in the Paralympics and the world has fallen in love with him and his inspiring story.
Given the nickname “Rocketman,” Araújo sets goals for himself and is proud of the way he has pushed through his challenges.
“It’s a feeling of mission accomplished, of duty fulfilled. I came to Paris to win three golds, and I’m really happy I did,” Araújo said in paralympic.org.
It’s hard to be a Paralympic athlete, and people in the 2024 Paris Paralympics have proved this time and time again, as they continue to rise to the challenge. There are many people who do not know that the Paralympics exist because the games continue to occur behind the Summer and Winter Olympics, which also happen every four years. The world needs to know that there are people who have chased their dreams, whether it’s with a prosthetic limb or not, and support them as they face upcoming challenges.
Evie Crosland (9) believes it’s important for the Paralympians to feel accepted as much as the Olympians and has admiration for the blind long jump teams.
“It allows everyone to be included whether they have a disability or not. It is such an essential and impactful part of the Olympics every year because it gives a sense of power to those who have similarities to the athletes performing to feel empowered. I was most blown away by the blind long jumpers because they are solely dependent on their guide who has to make a series of sounds to guide the athlete and tell them when to jump at each mark. Every year when I watch the Paralympics I am amazed by how incredible and talented they all are and by the coordination of the team,” Crosland said.
Every four years, athletes from all over the world travel to one country and compete for the Paralympic title. This is a life-changing experience that allows people to be who they are born to be, competing in a sport they love, with people around them cheering their name. People with disabilities may be struggling with the fact that they are different, and it is important for them to know that there are people like them all throughout the world.
Wade Neely (11) believes everyone is human and should be treated as such, especially the Paralympians whose stories impact the world.
“The fact that the athletes were born without something but still make the best of it is inspiring. It’s also motivational because the athletes work as hard as they possibly can. It puts things into perspective because I realize I should be grateful for what I have,” Neely said.
