Added: 12/14/2005 |
Paralympic Tennis Medalists - The Real Heroes of the SportDespite the fact that Paralympics tennis on wheelchairs had become a part of the structure much earlier, Paralympics sports became a separate Olympic movement in 1964 while carrying out the Games in Tokyo (Japan). 390 sportsmen from 22 countries took part in these games. Teams of Great Britain (70 participants) and the USA (66 participants) were represented by the greatest number of athletes. New kinds of sports were included in the program of Games, in particular, wheelchair races, heavy athletics and throwing a discus. Judging by the amount of medals won, the obvious leaders in this competition appeared to be sportsmen from the United States. Teams from Great Britain and Italy took the second and third places.
In 1964, the Olympic Games for people with the limited physical abilities were solemnly and officially renamed the "Paralympics". At competitions the attributes of Paralympics (flag, hymn and symbol) were represented for the first time and after the termination of Games. Many Paralympic tennis medalists from Japan were employed. In opinion of the majority of public observers, the present recognition of the Paralympics Games as high-grade sports competitions was also considered to be very important.
In 1999, the Olympic Medalists' Club (OMC) was established to recognize the medal winners and record-holders of the Olympic Tennis.
Tennis on wheelchairs has won special popularity among people with infringements of activity of support-impellent system. According to the rules of ITF only those players can take part in the international competitions under its aegis, infringement of which impellent ability is constant and is confirmed with the medical conclusion. Game rules in tennis on wheelchairs do not differ from common rules except that players should return the ball not letting hit it three times against a platform. For playing tennis on wheelchairs experts invent the special sports wheelchairs which are approved by the ITF as means of transportation to the court.
Names of Paralympic tennis medalists are little-known opposite the names of the glorified tennis players, such as Andre Agussy, Elena Dementjeva, Anna Kurnikova, and Serena Williams. However, it is possible to hope that in due course the situation in the sphere of tennis for invalids will be changed and we will also get to know about the names of Paralympic tennis medalists. One thing is for sure though, all the athletes are champions.
It agrees to the data of medal table that most of all Paralympic tennis medalists are represented by sportsmen from Great Britain and the USA. The fact can be possibly explained quite precisely as special programs on rehabilitation of invalids are very well advanced in these countries. The structure of these programs frequently also includes any kind of sports employment which people with the limited physical abilities can practically join.
Sports activity and competition individuals with disabilities provides a great opportunity for self-realization, a way to prove the world the full value and equality with other people who do not have any physical defects. It is necessary to admit that disabled persons can succeed and in sports are capable of surprising many healthy athletes. Their persistence and purposefulness can serve for many of us a good example.
Article comments:
No comments for this article yet. Post your comment now!
