Contributed by Pete Lovering
For years I have always watched the Olympics and other major sporting events like the Panam Games with wonder and awe. At the end of the whole process I always have a new found appreciation for just about every sporting endeavor and athlete that competes at this level. I have often wondered however why the Paralympics or ParaPan Games have traditionally followed and not been the first major event to take place. Some could argue the ParaPan/Paralymic athletes require even more skill and hard work than their counterpart as these athletes not only overcome some form of disability but then they are required to train and compete to the same degree as those without a disability.
Let’s face it the Para version of any sport is far more worthy, and deserving of our attention and as such the Para versions of any games should be what we kick off the events with. Imaging how much more exited we ( I ) would be about the up coming Pan AM games if we were all going to the opening ceremonies and events featuring the Para Athletes.
