Javelin Practice - Julie - 2008 - Beijing Paralympics

[coachhalley]

By the way, Julie placed 14th in Beijing. Awesome job Julie!!

[arni1257]

szczena mi opadla (-5)

[santeenl]

what is her handicap? I dont see much wrong?

[puttter]

she has no left arm...

[santeenl]

So that arm isen't real, oh didn't even noticed.

One thing about Paralympics, good that people with a handicap still manage to compete in sports, but this woman was nothing but a normal woman if she did not had a handicap.

So my OPINION is that alot of people that go to the paralympics are nothing. Like this lady for example who does not throw far. And if you miss a left arm as a right hand javelin thrower you would loose not that much distance...

[coachhalley]

The left arm is still very important in the throw. The left side of your body helps with balance/control as well as transferring the power from a left side plant to right side throw. Leverage is important and is hard to gain without the left side.

[santeenl]

Still is there a reason to give respect for these people?

[coachhalley]

Absolutely. Have you ever tried to compete with your mobility restricted in any way? It takes dedication and a strong work ethic to continue on. To be honest, I know a lot of other sport athletes that have little respect for throwing. But if you're a thrower, you know it takes an incredible amount of skill and dedication to do well. I work with athletes of all ages and abilities. The common theme is hard work and dedication. Respect? Well, they've got mine.

[santeenl]

Well I can't say I'm crippled but I'm injured all the time so I know something about it (training for ages etc. and then stupid injury) and that's not because of non qualified technique (trainer is classified, other trainer 4x national champ). Still, the woman throwing here is just not looking like an atlete, more like someone who lost her arm somehow and like "uses" it to achieve something. Greetz

[coachhalley]

The Paralympics has several categories and a points system so that folks that are higher functioning can compete fairly with athletes that have severe limitations. I don't completely understand how all of it works though.