OLYMPICS AND

PARALYMPICSVALUES

The Olympics, originating in ancient Greece in 1896, brings together the nations of the world every four years to celebrate the very reign of the spirit of achievement and sportsmanship.

Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the man behind the modern Olympics movement, has been an inspiration for unbreakable records, the march of pride and international goodwill for more than a century.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE OLYMPICS

THE OLYMPIAN VALUE OF RESPECT

“Respect’’ ,in this context of sport ,means :

Fair play – Knowing the rules and regulations and abiding by it.

The environment – Respecting your surroundings and the people around you for what they do and what they don’t.

One has to respect the views and contributions of all.

All in all ,it boils down to respecting oneself , one’s surroundings , one’s own limitations , the people around you and abhorring unethical practices .

THE OLYMPIAN VALUE OF EXCELLENCE

‘Excellence’, as the name itself suggests:

Is the status which every other sportsperson would dream of achieving in his/her life.

It is that very word that flows in and out with each breath of an athlete on the field when he strives for success.

It is not just about winning, it is about participation and accomplishing those little big personal goals set by us.

THE OLYMPIAN VALUE OF FRIENDSHIP

A recurring theme in stories of ancient times is friendship . The Olympics too highlights this value of friendship.

A sporting event of so much magnitude would be impossible to conduct if there was no friendship and co-operation between countries and athletes.

Athletes may seem the bloodiest of fighters and most turbulent of warriors, but only when they are on the field.

The Olympics is a means to promote friendship between countries and athletes. It is a method that uses the spirit of friendship to spread world peace.

PARALYMPICS: The Paralympics, started in 1948, was initially

a sports Competition for people with a disability during the London Olympic Games right after the First World War. Two weeks after the Rome Olympic Games, the first Paralympic Games was held in 1960 with nearly 400 athletes from 23 different countries.

A BRIEF HISTORY of THE PARALYMPICS

THE PARALYMPIAN VALUE OF COURAGE

A striking feature of Greek mythology is the courage of people. Courage not only means to have the strength to stand up for what you believe in but to persevere to achieve in spite of naysayers.

Paralympics, that showcases among other things, the value of courage. It takes real courage to participate and show the world the true meaning of the proverb,” Where there is a will there is a way.”

Esther Vergeer, a three-time Paralympic champion in Women’s Wheelchair Tennis has won 20 Grand Slam titles. It takes courage to fight a war but it takes greater courage to show the world that nothing is impossible.

Walt Disney said “ All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them. ”. The Paralympics epitomises that thought.

Determination is a drive to prove oneself against all odds. A rush of satisfaction and contentment flows through the one who achieves his goal with unwavering determination. It is the sense to prove themselves to the world that propels the Paralympians to participate in such an event. Determination is to overcome obstacles and to conquer adversity which is why it is important at the Paralympics.

With participation comes determination and with determination comes victory and with victory comes pride.

“ A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.”

-Colin Powell

THE PARALYMPIAN VALUE OF DETERMINATION

Dave Kiley was paralyzed from the waist down when he was just 19 years old and yet he is one of the world’s most celebrated Paralympians. His determination won him thirteen Paralympic medals.

Louise Sauvage is a professional athlete and Paralympian who dominated the world of wheelchair track and road racing for well over a decade. Over the course of her career, Sauvage won nine Paralympic gold medals

The Paralympics is a competition to prove that the mind is not confined to the limitations of the body. Continuous efforts resonate with chimes of perseverance.

THE PARALYMPIAN VALUE OF INSPIRATION

To be EFFECTIVE, one should appeal to the MIND of others. But to be INSPIRING, one has to be able to reach the HEART of others.

One of the values taught by the Olympics is this quality of inspiration. Life is not a smooth journey. There will be obstacles throughout our existence. But inspirational people always have and always will stand firm and fight their way through. Such people inspire lives.

However, the best source of inspiration to anybody is one’s own self. One's past constructs one’s self image. Only when your self image is healthy can you find the inspiration to unearth your potential which manifests itself as performances. How the world sees you makes a small difference. How you see yourself makes all the difference.

A bright example would be Rudy Garcia Tolson. Born with multiple defects like club-feet, both hands with webbed fingers, cryppling pterygium syndrome, cleft lip and palate, he won the Gold Medal at the Paralympics in Beijing For swimming, thus setting a world record. His motto in life has been ‘a brave heart is a powerful weapon'.

Another such person is Marla Runyan, the first legally blind athlete to participate at the Olympics. Each time, the Olympics and the Paralympics come up with such people and instances, inspiring the world.

THE PARALYMPIAN VALUE OF EQUALITY

• The word Paralympic is derived from the Greek word Para. “Para” is a preposition for beside or alongside. This symbolizes the very purpose of conducting the event – to reign in a sense of equality.

• The Paralympics have grown from a small gathering of British World War II veterans in 1948 to become one of the largest international sport events by the early 21st century. Paralympians strive for equal treatment with non-disabled Olympic athletes.

• There are no disabled people. Only differently abled.

• The Paralympics is an event which provides an opportunity to such differently abled people to exhibit their potential in the arena of athletics and sports.

• The Paralympic contests have brought out great talents and have given a moral boost to differently abled people thereby helping them live life like an other person.

• Many Paralympic athletes have competed in Olympics and have proved to the world that they are competitive in spite of their disability.

• Each of us has a spark inside. It has to be found and nurtured into a fire.

• It is not just about the physical conditions of people but also about abandoning the distinctions on the lines of religion, race, caste, sex, creed etc.

AT THE END OF THIS VALUABLE JOURNEY

The Olympics and Paralympics will remain a global stage for nearly every human emotion for eternity. The athletes’ minds and hearts are not a battlefield for just these emotions, the ‘values’ which they personify on and off the field is what makes them stand apart.

With a big ‘thank you’ in our hearts, we salute those brave hearts out there, in the Olympian and the Paralympian world who not only make their nation proud but also unite the entire human race.

Done By:Suvendu Samal (X-L)Deepika Vasudevan(X-J)Niveditha Badrinarayanan(X-R)Aparna.V (X-N)Kumaresh Jeyaraman (X-E)M.V.Sriya (X-M)S.Lalit Kumar (X-G) Students of Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan Senior Secondary School,

K.K.Nagar, Chennai, India.