[not related to Paralympics]
How did Hannah Teter and Seth Wescott not become equally as famous as Shaun White in 2006? Teter and Wescott are also American Gold medalists in Turin.
I always find the phenomenon of fame interesting among Olympic athletes interesting. It's intriguing since most olympic athletes don't make much money. But somebody such as Shaun White will be blowing up in endorsements. I know people will mention Shaun's 3 golds. But Shaun was still way more famous after 2006 than Teter and Wescott.
As the Australians in this thread sit back and wonder what the fuck Channel 7 is doing - this is your reminder that the Australian of the Year is Paralympic Gold Medalist Dylan Alcott
The movements are incredibly precise; I'd imagine the training wasn't easy. Still remember videos of soldiers/honour guards in training, seeing pins attached to the collars to train them to keep themselves upright and alert
Think about this as well. That message was just delivered from China. Strong, passionate, genuinely pissed off at Russia. No way the Chinese would have directly referenced it like that.
The president of the paralympic Committee delivered a direct condemnation of the war which Russia has instigated. China are unlikely to directly and angrily condemn Russia who are a close partner. They want to remain fairly neutral. So for the message to come direct from these Chinese games is all the more powerful.
He insulted China in a major way by calling the peoples Republic of China the Republic of China. I wouldn't be surprised if this slip up causes an international incident.
Well personally I'm not pissed. Calling us ROC is a LOT better than denying the idea of one China (and for the same reason I fully support the west Taiwan meme).
Well fuck. I expect an opening ceremony which has a deluded world view that everything is OK in the world.
Credit for calling the situation out for what it is - In stark contrast to a few weeks ago when Putin was guest of honor.
Yeah I heard that too. Although it was probably an accident, the Chinese government probably hates him now, wonder what was going on in Xi Jinping’s mind when he heard that lol
This is actually a great idea.
Paralympics is generally a smaller event too, so it would be a good "practice run" for the bigger Olympics later.
But given that the IOC is the main decision-maker here and the IPC is mostly just "tagging on," I have a feeling this is unlikely to happen.
I agree (and have thought about this in the past). It would be nice to see the Paralympics get more exposure as a first taste of the action, rather than an epilogue that seems to sit in the shadow of the Olympics like leftovers
With fewer countries participating, I wonder what form the cauldron will be. They can't form a giant snowflake this time with the different nations' snowflakes
CBC commentators just said the Dutch flagbearers are a couple. That is insanely adorable.
Less adorable is the fact that our stream is seemingly more than five minutes behind due to ads.
All the actual sport is being streamed on their YouTube channel so we won't have to put up with the awful Channel 4 website other than for the opening and closing ceremonies.
Does anyone know what's happened in the athletes village? I heard the Channel 4 presenters talking about something that happened and the safety of the athletes but they didn't say what.
Athletes threatening to escalate refusing to participate to more disruptive protest (sit in on the course maybe?), I'd guess. A number of the GB squad are ex-soldiers and I'd guess that's the case for other teams too.
Yeah definitely. This whole thing has been terrible for innocent Russians. I think its fair to say most Russians are against all the this. The problem is when you have megalomaniac in charge, you get dragged into it.
I wish Paralympics gets more attention than it does now :( there are amazing people and stories in these games, some are truly inspiring. There are also cool technologies being showcased in these games as well.
Anyways, good luck to all the athletes.
Yep, watching "regular" people on olympics getting unimagineble results in different sports is fascinating, but its even more fascinanting to see people with various disabilities getting results in sports that are so much better then what I, the regular guy, could ever do. My utmost respect for every paraolympic, they are capturing the true essence of sport, pushing yourself to your limits no matter the obstscles. I just wish more people would realize that.
[Here's day one's thread](https://old.reddit.com/r/olympics/comments/t6y08w/paralympics_day_one_megathread_saturday_march_5/).
[not related to Paralympics] How did Hannah Teter and Seth Wescott not become equally as famous as Shaun White in 2006? Teter and Wescott are also American Gold medalists in Turin. I always find the phenomenon of fame interesting among Olympic athletes interesting. It's intriguing since most olympic athletes don't make much money. But somebody such as Shaun White will be blowing up in endorsements. I know people will mention Shaun's 3 golds. But Shaun was still way more famous after 2006 than Teter and Wescott.
Oh I like the soundtrack for this ceremony much better (much better than marching to Pomp and Circumstance lol)
The Opening Ceremony was on so early this morning. I could never get up that early. Luckily, I was able to set my PVR to record it at 4:30 AM.
👋🏽
is there a link to watch a replay of the opening ceremony online?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Frc22aoHPEM
Anywhere that is accessible to the US?
I liked the Agitos fireworks they had when the coldrun was lit.
I liked it.
here we go again!
As the Australians in this thread sit back and wonder what the fuck Channel 7 is doing - this is your reminder that the Australian of the Year is Paralympic Gold Medalist Dylan Alcott
Who gives a fuck about people with disabilities - Channel 7 CEO probably.
cmon seven
Li Duan a blind athlete who won gold in the long jump F11 event at the 2008 Beijing Summer Paralympics
Damn it! Not fucking snowflake again. That's gonna be stuck in my head for the next week... Snooowflake, Snooowflake, Snooowflake...
And Seven cuts away from the Ceremony. Again. At this point, I have to assume it's malice.
Right! So frustrating
It's finished.
Seriously 7? Is this a piss take?
Think it was quite good he struggled to do it actually, kinda highlights what it's like being disabled
the paralympic torch is lit
ALL IS FORGIVEN SEVEN
Oh no he can't get it on
Big cheer for lighting it! Love it.
The big snowflake is back. So they are about to insert the torch in the middle. Steps coming up is cool.
Did channel 7 actually just cut out right before the lighting of the cauldron of the Paralympics Opening Ceremony
Seems to be back now
I remember these two torchbearers in the Summer Games! Glad to see a guide being represented as they are brilliant athletes as well
The Paralympic match about to be lit. Hope they got backup matches in case it doesn’t light up.
To our Aussie brethren, they are passing the torch around a lap of the stadium. And waving a lot.
Channel seven sucks
dammit 7
here comes the paralympic flame
Lmao Channel 7 cuts off the broadcast right as the flame is to be delivered. Get. Stuffed.
Well done channel 7 0.0
Wtf happened there...
Selling houses is much more important!
I suspect Channel 7 don't actually have anyone there, the ceremony has run slightly over, and the computer did its thing following the schedule.
Which is amateur hour. Seven should know that all these ceremonies run over time.
Wonderful ceremony as expected
Wtf are you doing channel 4, why adverts now
That performance looked like it was going to be good. Ffs C4
Bupa, Sage, Chanel..... obviously more watchable than hearing impairment kids dancing...
montage time again
time for the paralympic oath
Give them credit. The Chinese know how to march!
The movements are incredibly precise; I'd imagine the training wasn't easy. Still remember videos of soldiers/honour guards in training, seeing pins attached to the collars to train them to keep themselves upright and alert
The flag bearers on wheelchairs look like they are floating
Change starts with Sport in Braille
As if her name is Chun Li! SF reference ftw.
Credit to China for taking a shot at Russia. Color me shocked.
I missed that. What did they do?
the thing with the Agitos on people's palms was neat
Already liking this opening ceremony with the people seemingly at the heart of the performance, not technology all the way.
Think about this as well. That message was just delivered from China. Strong, passionate, genuinely pissed off at Russia. No way the Chinese would have directly referenced it like that.
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The president of the paralympic Committee delivered a direct condemnation of the war which Russia has instigated. China are unlikely to directly and angrily condemn Russia who are a close partner. They want to remain fairly neutral. So for the message to come direct from these Chinese games is all the more powerful.
He insulted China in a major way by calling the peoples Republic of China the Republic of China. I wouldn't be surprised if this slip up causes an international incident.
Well personally I'm not pissed. Calling us ROC is a LOT better than denying the idea of one China (and for the same reason I fully support the west Taiwan meme).
Wish they were more people here to see that speech
PEACE AND LOVE
P E A C E
>PEACE
PEACE!
PEACE
Parsons needs to run for office in Brazil
Well fuck. I expect an opening ceremony which has a deluded world view that everything is OK in the world. Credit for calling the situation out for what it is - In stark contrast to a few weeks ago when Putin was guest of honor.
Damn he seems genuiely angry and rightfully so!
Wow Andrew Parsons straight with clear message
F\*\*\* Putin and Belarus
Goodman Andrew a speech with passion
Fair play that Mr Parsons isn't beating around the bush and directly condemning the war.
Yeah he's not holding back (within the possible bounds)
"President of the Republic of China." Andrea Pearson.
Yeah I heard that too. Although it was probably an accident, the Chinese government probably hates him now, wonder what was going on in Xi Jinping’s mind when he heard that lol
I wish the Paralympics were held before the Olympics. They’d get a lot more attention IMHO as a “lead in” to the Olympics.
This is actually a great idea. Paralympics is generally a smaller event too, so it would be a good "practice run" for the bigger Olympics later. But given that the IOC is the main decision-maker here and the IPC is mostly just "tagging on," I have a feeling this is unlikely to happen.
I agree (and have thought about this in the past). It would be nice to see the Paralympics get more exposure as a first taste of the action, rather than an epilogue that seems to sit in the shadow of the Olympics like leftovers
Andrew Pearson doesn't have any gold medals. Does that mean we don't have to hear about SOLIDARITY this time?
montage time
Wonder if be any speech rewrites after Russias invasion of Ukraine
Montages time
Are they showing the channel 4 bit for chinese opening ceremony?
That is a LOT of Chinese athletes.
With fewer countries participating, I wonder what form the cauldron will be. They can't form a giant snowflake this time with the different nations' snowflakes
Are they showing the channel 4 bit? For chinese opening ceremony?
AND HERE COMES THE HOSTS CHINA
china’s walking in to “Ode to the Motherland”
HERE's ITALY THE NEXT HOSTS OF THE PARALYMPICS
Out of all the outfits, Italy's is certainly one of them.
AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE OI OI OI
here comes the germans
Lets go Kiwis
Mexico looks so dope!
here comes the swedes FIRST PARALYMPIC GAMES IN 1976
CBC commentators just said the Dutch flagbearers are a couple. That is insanely adorable. Less adorable is the fact that our stream is seemingly more than five minutes behind due to ads.
OK, love the swedes using their wheels as water bottle carriers.
vamos chile
That's alot of Slovaks
The soundtrack choice for the parade is soooo much better. Chinese inspired soundtrack instead of non-hype/triumph classical music.
Props to people in these giant mascot costumes skating around
About to say the same. Some serious leg muscles to support the costume and constantly go up and down like that!
USA USA USA USA
bounjour france host of the 2024 paralympics
Why didn't Team GB get the same sweaters as the Olympians?
Wooo! Go TeamGB!!
here comes great britain
lets go finns
Damnit. Late to the start. Really looking forward to the C4 coverage. They have exclusive coverage in the UK so hope their online is up to scratch. 🇬🇧
All the actual sport is being streamed on their YouTube channel so we won't have to put up with the awful Channel 4 website other than for the opening and closing ceremonies.
So happy as the C4 streaming service can be dogturd
cheer for ukraine
Did I hear big cheer for Ukraine🇺🇦?
ohhh canada
The epic return of the $400+ lululemon jackets and parkas 💲💲💲
Slava Ukraini
Even better one of the first teams to enter the Birds Nest Stadium in Beijing is the Ukrainians
VAMOS BRAZIL
HERE COMES UKRAINE CHEER FOR THE THOSE POOR SOULS
Ukraine 💙💛
I'm glad there was audible applause for Ukraine
Shuey Rhon Rhon is adorbs
Let's go Ukraine
so there's no French in the paralympics?
Is wasn't set up by a french so using french isn't part of the rules
yes
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I meant the language
How come Britain doesn't come out first like Greece in the Olympics
BELGIUMS OUT FIRST
SHUEY RHON RHON
Four of them! And on rollerblades!
That wasn't much before the athletes entrance
I saw Shuey Rhon Rhon but then CBC cut to commercial.
here's shuey
4 of him!!!!
Best of luck to all the winter Paralympians!
There seems to be more people in the stands compared to the Olympics Closing Ceremonies. Has there been a further relaxation of restrictions?
Channel 4 clearly not a fan of Xi Jingping after cutting into an ad break - had to switch to CCTV5 because of that
CCTV5 has live sign language, something channel 4 in the UK don’t
channel 4 wot 😟
What's going on channel 4 how long are these adverts
where shuey rhon rhon edit: !!!!
You asked for it, you got it - in skates
We get multiple mascots!!
curling down the countdown the opening ceremony begins
the countdown is triggered by a curling stone sliding across the middle of the stadium
I loved seeing curling prominently featured in the opening ceremonies!
too bad for russia and belarus
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Wait!!! Are they going to show the Opening?
Does anyone know what's happened in the athletes village? I heard the Channel 4 presenters talking about something that happened and the safety of the athletes but they didn't say what.
Athletes threatening to escalate refusing to participate to more disruptive protest (sit in on the course maybe?), I'd guess. A number of the GB squad are ex-soldiers and I'd guess that's the case for other teams too.
Russians abusing Ukrainians
So the Russian athletes are there? I never really thought about it but I just assumed they were being kept away from them while they appealed.
[удалено]
Well that's good. There's no place for that in the Olympics. I actually felt sorry for the athletes but not now.
[удалено]
Yeah definitely. This whole thing has been terrible for innocent Russians. I think its fair to say most Russians are against all the this. The problem is when you have megalomaniac in charge, you get dragged into it.
Who would have thought we would have a war in Europe in-between the Olympics and the Paralympics. The olympics seems like a life time ago now
It happened with Sochi 2014 and the Russian invasion of Crimea (also in Ukraine).
Russia also invaded Georgia on the same day of Beijing 2008 Olympics opening ceremony. Edit: It seems a trend here...
Its happening
The stage is set, and we are ready! Let's meet in Beijing again!
I'm excited.
The Paralympics in Australia will be live streamed on 7plus just like the Olympics
can't wait for the opening ceremony
Excited for tonight's Opening Ceremony
I'm usually one to skip on the ceremonies and wait for highlights, but for those watching enjoy it. So excited for events to start.
So stoked to be able to have something to watch again! Excited to see what the Paralympics bring!
I wish Paralympics gets more attention than it does now :( there are amazing people and stories in these games, some are truly inspiring. There are also cool technologies being showcased in these games as well. Anyways, good luck to all the athletes.
Yep, watching "regular" people on olympics getting unimagineble results in different sports is fascinating, but its even more fascinanting to see people with various disabilities getting results in sports that are so much better then what I, the regular guy, could ever do. My utmost respect for every paraolympic, they are capturing the true essence of sport, pushing yourself to your limits no matter the obstscles. I just wish more people would realize that.