Why support Paralympics GB?

This past Sunday I was fortunate enough to go to the Paralympics at the Olympic Park–it was amazing! The crowds were buzzing, the events were packed, and supporters were there from all over the world in their country’s colours, sometimes wearing silly costumes but always totally excited and completely pumped!

Why do I support ParalympicsGB?

1. I support sport, for a start.

Integrating sport in our culture as an everyday event is essential. I’d like to see fitness something we do almost without thinking about it, the equivilent of cleaning our teeth. “You didn’t clean your teeth today? Ugh!” and “You didn’t exercise today? Ugh!”

We don’t all have to aim for the Olympics/Paralympics but doing something most days that gets us off our bums and gets us moving is important for reducing stress (and thus preventing a whole load of diseases), waking us up without the need for more coffee and sugar, keeping the weight down, and generally making us healthier and happier.

I’m no fitness freak, but I do know that if I do a 40 minute walk most days I feel a lot better!

2. I support the Olympic Ideal

The Olympic Ideal is the idea that individual atheletes, not countries, compete against each other in sport. Personal goals are worked towards, and yes, each country has their own team, but the Olympics/Paralympics are a peaceful competition without the baggage of politics, religion, or racism.

I love that when I attended Wheelchair Basketbal at the weekend, although I was first watching Italy v South Africa, I was surrounded by nationalities who were not Italian or South African and they were cheering for both sides when each got a goal. The crowds were supporting athletes and performance.

3. I support opportunity

Why should a soldier return from war and sit on the sidelines because he’s lost two legs? How does that make him any less capable of contributing to society and sport? The Paralympics offer an opportunity to set goals and work towards them so that he might show himself and the world that although having two less legs means he has to make some adjustments, he can still be an equal member of our society.

The same applies to someone born with physical disabilities or learning difficulties. A society’s worth is judged on how they treat the most vulnerable people and by offering equal opportunities and support to all people in our society, we show our worth.

Helping individuals in our society gain personal satisfaction and success we only improve our strength as a society. It’s win-win!

4. I support good examples

As with any goal, I want to know if I or anyone in my family becomes disabled–or if one of us has a child who is disabled there will be people we can look to for inspiration and guidance. Elite athletes, whether Paralympians or not, are all examples of hard work, determination and support. Amazing examples to all of us, when looking forward to any goal!

5. It’s a great opportunity to offer the Home Advantage

Even though I support all althetes in the Olympics and Paralympics, I love turning up to support the British team because this is their home turf, and it’s important to give them the home advantage!

Are you going to the Paralympics? Do you know anyone competing?

 

Would you like to win tickets to see ParalympicsGB? You can do so on the British Airways Home Advantage site!

You can also find British Airways on Twitter, @British_Airways and tweet about offering your #HomeAdvantage support of #ParalympicsGB! Get out there and support your athletes!

If you are one of the lucky ones to get tickets, be sure to take a break at the British Airways Park Live area in the middle of the Olympic Park, where you can escape some crowds, rest and relax and watch other events through the day onthe massive screen.

And finally, check out this video showing TeamGB offering their support to ParalympicsGB:

 

Disclosure: British Airways gave me tickets to see the Paralympics.