Who doesn’t love the Olympics? They’re exciting and they bring everyone together to support their country! Audiences cheer on amazing figure skaters like Nathan Chen, and snowboarders like Shaun White. These gravity-defying athletes get a lot of attention, but where is the recognition for our amazing Paralympic athletes? Commercials are starting to focus on Paralympians enormous feats, and giving them the well-earned recognition they deserve.
The hockey team with the most gold medals is the Paralympic sled hockey team! This amazing sport incorporates a sled and two sticks to propel the athletes to move and shoot. Team USA has won three gold medals and is the current world champion! First up is Rico Roman, a retired Army Staff Sergeant. While serving our country, he was wounded by an explosive device and had his left leg amputated. He decided not to give up and joined the US Sled Hockey team, winning a gold medal! He continues to fight.
Another amazing athlete that deserves a highlight is Oksana Masters from Ukraine. Both of her legs were damaged by radiation from the Chernobyl nuclear reactor explosion in Utero. She was born with five webbed fingers, no thumbs, missing weight-bearing bones, and one leg was significantly shorter than the other. Masters doesn’t let these challenges get in her way, she is a Biathlon athlete and Cross-Country Skier. After going through several orphanages and having two legs amputated, she has become a three-time Paralympic medalist and has competed in London, Sochi, Rio, and is currently in PyeongChang. Another Paralympian worth mentioning is Menna Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick only has 5% of her vision, but she doesn’t let it hold her back. She is the first British winter athlete to win a World Cup title and is making her Paralympic debut in South Korea.
The last girl power favorite is Lauren Woolstencroft. Born without legs below the knee and no left arm below the elbow, Lauren has beaten all odds and has won eight gold medals in skiing. This year, the amount of Paralympic coverage is equal to 94 hours of television, double that of the previous Olympics in Sochi. These inspiring and unbeatable athletes are worthy of the highest praise and recognition! This is the year that the world should accept and support all athletes because anyone can do extraordinary things, it just takes a little extra work.
- Statistics from teamusa.org