#Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Opening Ceremony

[yusukeide]

東京2020パラリンピック開会式/閉会式

Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Opening Ceremony Behind the Scenes　東京2020パラリンピック開会式ができるまで Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Closing Ceremony Behind the Scenes 東京2020パラリンピック閉会式ができるまで

アクセスコーディネーターとして、障がいのある出演者を中心としたサポートや舞台進行等に従事

[oneturfnews1]

All you need to know about Sumit Antil and India's Paralympics goal

The 2020 Tokyo Paralympics gold medallist and star Indian javelin thrower Sumit Antil wants to improve his world record and defend his title in the F64 category at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. The Paralympics will run from August 28 to September 8.

[dweemeister]

"Parade" and "Higher", composed by Victor Le Masne, performed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra

This is for those going through Olympic withdrawal. French composer Victor Le Masne was tasked with composing music for both the Olympic and Paralympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies this year as the Paris 2024's musical director. The Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra was also used to play the original music composed for the 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics.

Here are two pieces you may have heard most over the last two weeks – and will continue to hear during the upcoming Paralympics. The first, "Parade", played over the medal ceremonies across the Olympics. The second piece here, "Higher" (here is a shorter "club mix" that was played at venues across the Games), was played during the extended journey of a masked rider galloping across the Seine on a metallic horse during the Opening Ceremony.

Le Masne wanted to build a musical bridge between contemporary and older pop/electronica/disco (the rhythmic complexities found in the final minutes of this piece) and classical music (the acoustic elements) across his soundtrack to the Olympics and Paralympics.

[whatsjenniupto]

Dear Paris, I'm Trying Very Hard to Like You. Honest.

At no point have I ever wanted to go to Paris. Ever.

To be fair, I am one who tends to see what everyone else wants to do and go the opposite direction. Crowds? Bandwagons? Popular Opinions? Nah. Not for me.

I'm sure this attitude has played into my lack of desire for Paris. That, and the fact that French refuses to stick in my head.

But then I saw the hand-off from Tokyo to Paris at the end of the 2020 Olympics. I have never wanted to see Paris so much.

Fast forward to pre-Paris 2024. I was all signed up for the early ticket release. This was going to happen. I was going to the Olympics in Paris.

And then I couldn't get my log in to work and forgot to try again before my window closed.

And then my reason for being in Europe into July got cancelled.

My dreams of Paris 2024 were dying. I tried to accept this. I don't really care if I see Paris. It's fine. I can watch way more Olympic coverage from my house.

This lasted for two days of the Olympics.

I had been in London during the Olympics and knew how different the city was during the Games. I knew that if I was ever going to do Paris, it needed to be now during the Games. It was also at this point that I learned I was getting reimbursed for a trip I took a group of high schoolers on earlier in the summer. All of a sudden, I went from having already purchased a trip to Europe, I cannot purchase two -- SERIOUSLY, JENNIFER. YOU MAY NOT BUY TWO TRIPS TO EUROPE THIS SUMMER. To wait...could I get to the Paralympics?

AIRFARE IS $600?! Lodging for $340?! As in, most of this trip is less than that other trip's reimbursement?!

We're going to Paris!

Still unmotivated by basically all of Paris, I planned for a Paralympic event every day and filled in the remainder of my time with Parisian sights. The goal was to one and done Paris. Up first, I was going to put every single travel experience of my life to good use and beat jet leg into non-existence so I could land in Paris, drop my backpack at my flat, and head to a Fan Zone to watch the Opening Ceremony.

I searched for a fan zone that was close to a metro and a grocery store so I could grab dinner. The winning location was the Mairie du 11e arrondissement. After delays due to baggage, flat access, and dinner purchase, I finally got to the fan zone after the ceremony had started. The fan zone was pretty busy with all the seating already in use, so I opted for sitting on a fence right outside the fan zone, joining a group of others who had the same idea.

There was plenty of police presence within the fan zone, keeping tabs on what was happening in the area around them. I kept tabs on my surroundings and my main discovery was that Paris smokes everything they possibly can. As we neared 11pm and the lighting of the cauldron seemed quite a ways off, I started weighing my options. I had sunrise plans in the morning. How late did I want to stay out?

Looking around as I debated, I saw a man surrounded by police, getting a full body search on the other side of the very small corner park. The man who had been sitting next to me for the last 2+ hours.

Huh. Welcome to Paris.

Cauldron has been lit. I do not even care if I only have to wait 5 more minutes to get fireworks. I'm out.

[qnewsau]

Tom Daley busts big myth about his bed in Olympic Village

New Post has been published on https://qnews.com.au/tom-daley-busts-big-myth-about-his-bed-in-olympic-village/

Tom Daley busts big myth about his bed in Olympic Village

Tom Daley is in Paris for his fifth Olympics, and has debunked a persistent rumour that the Olympians’ cardboard beds aren’t sturdy enough in the Olympic Village.

The sustainable cardboard beds first went viral back in 2021, when they were introduced during the Tokyo Olympics.

At the time, some athletes incorrectly claimed that the deliberately “anti-sex” beds couldn’t possibly support the weight of two athletes.

Now Tom Daley is in Paris, with the Olympics just days away from kicking off with the Opening Ceremony.

In a new behind-the-scenes video on social media (below), the out British diver shows just how much action the cardboard beds can take.

“This is cardboard,” Tom says as he shows the frame. “As you can see, it’s like a box.”

Tom then jumps up and down on the bed as he confirms once and for all, “As you can see, they’re pretty sturdy!”

The top of the bed reads, “Rêvez vos exploits de demain,” which translates to “Dream about your achievements of tomorrow.”

@tomdaley CARBOARD BEDS IN THE OLYMPIC VILLAGE! #paris2024 #olympics ♬ original sound – Tom Daley

Olympics organisers explain cardboard beds

Olympics organisers have also said that they simply want to recycle the thousands of beds after the Games are over.

“We know the media has had a lot of fun with this story since Tokyo 2020,” Paris Olympic organisers told Reuters.

“But for Paris 2024, the choice of these beds for the Olympic and Paralympic Village is primarily linked to a wider ambition to ensure minimal environmental impact and a second life for all equipment used during the short period of the Games.”

@olympics Sweet dreams! The #Paris2024 Olympic beds ️ These are the same cardboard beds used at #Tokyo2020! They’re now in the @paris2024 Olympic Village, waiting for the athletes to arrive. #RoadToParis2024 ♬ sonido original – Olympics

Tom Daley is at his fifth Olympics

Tom Daley will compete at a record fifth Olympics in Paris after he was confirmed in Team GB’s diving team in May.

The out gay diver finally won a gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and after that took time away from the sport.

But late last year the 29-year-old made a comeback and in Paris he’ll compete in the 10m synchronised platform event with diving partner Noah Williams.

If Tom manages to win another medal in Paris, he’ll join a small group of five-time Olympic medalists.

That group includes out gay diving champion Greg Louganis, who has four Olympic golds and one silver.

News website Outsports reports at least 144 out LGBTQ athletes are heading to Paris for the 2024 Olympic Games.

According to the website’s count, a record number of out male Olympians are participating this year, which is so great to see.

A big majority of the 144 athletes on the list of queer Olympians – more than 120 – are women.

More out athletes for the Paris Olympics:

Aussie out basketball power couple head to Olympics together

Aussie rock climber Campbell Harrison to make history at Paris Olympics

Brazilian hunk Arthur Nory out and proud at third Olympics

Sam Kerr officially ruled out of Paris Olympic Games

Out Kiwi rower Robbie Manson qualifies for Paris Olympics

For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Check out our latest magazines or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

[thepaisley]

IPC - WeThe15 from Sam Pilling on Vimeo.

A film to launch the #WeThe15 movement – spearheaded by the International Paralympic Committee and International Disability Alliance.⁣⁣

-- 2022 AICP AWARDS - WINNER (Cause) CANNES LIONS - SILVER / Casting (film craft) D&AD AWARDS - Wood Pencil / Casting BRITISH ARROWS - SILVER / casting BRITISH ARROWS - SILVER / Entertainment & Sports Promotions BRITISH ARROWS - BRONZE / Innovation & Immersive Experiences CDA AWARDS - WINNER / Commercial CREATIVE CIRCLE AWARDS - SILVER / Editing SPORTS EMMY - nomination

-- 2021 SHOTS - SILVER / charity CAMPAIGN - #11 / Top 15 Film Ads of the Year 1.4 AWARDS - SILVER (FLYING HIGH) / commercial - planet positive ⁣⁣ The movement, #WeThe15, takes its name from the 15% of the global population who have a disability: the world’s largest marginalised group. With the goal of putting the rights of the 15% at the heart of the global inclusivity agenda. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ The Tokyo 2020 Paralympics start today! Our film launches the #wethe15 movement and will be shown as part of the opening ceremony to a global audience of over 250 million people. Made in partnership with Adam & Eve DDB, the International Paralympic Committee and the International Disability Alliance, we hope this film helps to shift the narrative around people with disabilities - away from one in which they are either stereotyped as objects of pity, or put on a pedestal �

Huge thank you to all the Cast & crew across the world who gave up their precious time to help bring this film to life ��

STARRING: Kirin Saeed, Crystal Marshall, Wayne Huggit, Brinston Tchana, Martha Ciana, Chris Coxon, Cindy-Jane Armbruster, Asa Bebbington, Asif Ali, Rajesh Kalhan, Jacob Chambers, Yusef, Bethany Asher, Ekow Otoo, Jessica Margraff, Frank & Cindy Williams, Mukandi Mashamba, Camphill Football Team, Evans Maripa, Nathan Hanekom, Rory Avenstrup, Monica e Lino, Max Ulivieri, Loredana Grandi, Lorenzo Casarini, Carlos Neme

THANKS TO: C-Talent and Dan Edge, Bev and Gatehouse, Pulse Italia and Giorgio Testi, Jenni Haberstock, Ryan Booth, Dav & Hillary, Bird and Indochina Productions

CREW: Agency: Adam & Eve Agency producers: Hannah / Rebecca /Jack CCO: Rik Brim Creative Director: Laura Rogers Creatives: Gen & Selma Production: Pulse Films MD: James Sorton & Davud Karbassioun Executive Producer: Lucy Kelly Producer: Dave French PM: Kishan Patel PA: Ellie Sanders Wright PA: Honey Cairns DP: Alex Barber & Chloë Thomson Focus: Merrit Gold Production Designer: Beck Rainford Set Assistant: Grace Bailey Props: Lloyd Vincent Grip: Johnny Donne Gaffer: Paul Molloy Stylist: Hannah Hopkins Stylist Assistant: Adam Martin H&MU: Gaby Winwood H&MU Assistant: Georgia Ryan 1st A.D: James Sharpe Playback: Alan Muszynski Sound: Stephen Hodge Boom Op: Esther Aside-Ofei Casting: Anna Stark CAPE TOWN Gatehouse Commercials EP: Beverley Wynne Producer: Karin Tanchel PM: Daniel Stoffberg 1st AD: Jaco Nel DP: Shaun Harley Lee Focus: Khalid Manuel Art: Willow Howell Make-Up Stylist: Annette Keet Sound: Henau Marais Location Manager: Bhut Gladstone MILAN Pulse Italia Executive Producer: Giorgio Testi Producer: Giulia Negretto Director: Tobia Passigato DP: Diego Indraccolo BANGKOK Indochina Productions EP: Nicholas Simón Producer: Atrachariya Pinitsanpirom (Bird) DP: Nicolas Axelrod Art Director: Salem Kardeeroj 1st A.D: Napon Limsomwong (Kwan) Casting Director: Sarawanee Yodnoon BOGOTA DP: Mauricio Vidal Editors: Ellie Johnson, Liam Bachler & Elyse Raphael at Tenthree Colour: Simon Bourne at Framestore Colour Producer: Chris Anthony VFX: Untold Studios Track: The Mohawks - The Champ (1968) Sync and Music Composition: Luis Almau at Soundtree Music Sound Design: Sam Ashwell & Mark Hellaby at 750mph Film Stock: Kodak Scans: Cinelab London Print: Dejonghe

[niamhsblog]

Glancey , J. o. n. a. t. h. a. n. (2010, July 30). London Olympics merchandise: the design verdict. Guardian . https://www.theguardian.com/uk/gallery/2010/jul/30/london-2012-olympics-souvenir-merchandise

Alamy. (2023). Tokyo 2020 Merchandise Stock Images. Alamy. https://www.alamy.com/tokyo-2020-olympic-games-merchandise-inside-an-olympic-games-and-paralympic-games-gift-shop-in-shinjuku-tokyo-due-to-the-covid-19-outbreak-the-olympic-games-tokyo-2020-were-postponed-for-the-first-time-in-history-the-opening-ceremony-of-the-olympic-games-tokyo-2020-will-now-be-held-on-23rd-july-2021-instead-of-24-july-2020-photo-by-stanislav-kogiku-sopa-imagessipa-usa-image407746436.html

I wanted to look at examples of previous years Merchandise that was sold for the games. Although my work for my clothing won’t be official pieces for the Olympics company, I’ve found it useful to look at the official merchandise that was sold and the elements that were included in the pieces. I want my pieces to have a bit more creativity and depth behind them rather than just logos or mascots. Looking at these links specifically, it can be shown that what the official merchandise have in common are that they have cultural references, mascots, logos and a cohesive colour scheme. The merchandise doesn’t stray far away from that and all the imagery is the same. The cultural element specifically is something I’d like to carry forward in my brief work. France have made it pretty clear that their culture and architecture is going to play a huge part in their Olympic identity this year. I’d like to play around with this in my work and keep to the colour scheme they have picked out.

[internetcompanynews]

Olympics 2024: Men's triathlon postponed due to concerns about current Seine water quality | Olympics News | Sky Sports - Journal Global Internet - BLOGGER https://www.merchant-business.com/olympics-2024-mens-triathlon-postponed-due-to-concerns-about-current-seine-water-quality-olympics-news-sky-sports/?feed_id=149788&_unique_id=66a9f15f8223b The men’s triathlon at the Olympic Games in Paris has been postponed due to water-quality levels in the River Seine.The event had been set to take place on Tuesday morning, with the women’s event to be held 24 hours later.The decision has now been taken to move the men’s race to Wednesday as well, but if it is not possible to use the Seine then the triathlons could be postponed further still, or become duathlons and lose the swimming element.Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video playerSky Sports senior reporter Geraint Hughes explained how there was a race against time for the Paris Olympics organisers to make a call about the cleanliness of the River Seine and whether it would be clean enough to stage the triathlonAs it stands the men’s event has been rescheduled to take place at 10.45am local time (9.45am BST) on Wednesday, after the women’s race which is scheduled for 8am (7am BST).A statement from World Triathlon said Friday remains a contingency day if one or both of the races are unable to go ahead.“Tests carried out in the Seine today revealed water quality did not provide sufficient guarantees to allow the event to be held,” World Triathlon said in a statement released on Tuesday morning.“Despite the improvement in the water quality levels, the readings at some points of the swim course are still above the acceptable limits.”Training in the river had been cancelled over the weekend and again on Monday due to unsafe levels of pollution caused by the heavy rain that blighted the Olympic opening ceremony on Friday and initial outdoor events on Saturday.Paris has a combined sewer system, meaning both wastewater and stormwater flow through the same pipes.When there are periods of heavy rainfall, the pipes can reach capacity and this wastewater – including sewage – overflows into the River Seine instead of being sent to a treatment plant.Open water swimming and triathlon events were due to take place in the Seine, more than 100 years after swimming in the river was banned in 1923.Earlier this month, France’s sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera swam in the Seine alongside Paralympic triathlon champion Alexis Hanquinquant, who won gold in the men’s PTS4 event at Tokyo 2020, to show people it was clean enough for the Olympic swimming events. Image:GB have medal contenders in the triathlonParis mayor Anne Hidalgo also took a dip, joined by Paris 2024 chief Tony Estanguet, but there was no sign of President Emmanuel Macron who had suggested he would also take the plunge.Hildago had originally planned to swim in the river in June but was forced to delay after tests indicated the presence of faecal matter 10 times higher than authorised limits.Paris officials have spent €1.4bn in a bid to improve water quality ahead of the Games.GB has strong medal contenders in the event. Britain’s Alex Yee is one of the favourites for gold in the men’s race while Beth Potter is the reigning women’s world champion.What happens if the swim can’t go ahead?Games organisers remain “hopeful” both triathlons can take place on Wednesday, though the event could be pushed further back to Friday or even changed outright to a duathlon (with the run and the cycle, but no swim) if it is still not possible to use the Seine.Officials blamed extreme weather events for the issues. “We had meteorological events that were beyond our control,” Aurelie Merle, executive director of sport competitions Paris 2024, said on Tuesday. “The whole world has seen as witness that it rained heavily in Paris [during the opening ceremony and on the first day of the Games]. The equivalent to July’s rainfall fell in just 36 hours.

“The amount of water that has fallen on Friday and Saturday has been humungous so it’s taken time for the river to get back to normal.“We are quite hopeful because as you can see the weather conditions have been quite good.“We are hopeful that we can organise these two competition events tomorrow.”E.coli in the river is of particular concern, and there is still a chance that further storms and rainfall could have a further impact on the water quality. Image:The men’s triathlon at the Olympics could become a duathlonBut Marisol Casado, the president of World Triathlon, said on Tuesday: “At this point we are quite confident that that will happen tomorrow.“This is a part of adaptation to climate change we are facing. We are disappointed because we were not able to follow what was planned.”Losing the whole swim from the event is a drastic step but a distinct possibility. But Casado still considers it acceptable.“I don’t think this is unfair, it is just another situation of the competition,” she said. “It’s the same conditions for everyone.”IOC sport director Kit McConnell said: “It’s not uncommon for changes to be made, particularly in outdoor sports.“The conditions weren’t right to put the athletes in the Seine today. There have been significant improvements regarding the Seine.“We can’t control the weather, the weather has had a significant impact.”How to follow the Olympics on SkyKeep up to date with the action from the Paris 2024 Olympics across Sky Sports’ digital platforms and Sky Sports News every day between now and Sunday August 11.Alongside live news blogs and updates as records are broken and medals won on skysports.com and the Sky Sports app, Sky Sports News will also have dedicated reporters on the scene in Paris during the Games to gather the latest news both inside and outside the arenas in France as well as reaction to the big moments from medal winners, coaches, relatives and pundits.Launching this August, Sky Sports+ will be integrated into Sky TV, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports app – giving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost. Stream The new EFL season, Test cricket and more top sport with NOW.“Swimming in the triathlon at the Olympic Games is supposed to take place in the iconic River Seine, but the event has been plagued by concerns over the water quality,…”Source Link: https://www.skysports.com/olympics/news/15234/13187187/olympics-2024-mens-triathlon-postponed-due-to-concerns-about-current-seine-water-quality http://109.70.148.72/~merchant29/6network/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/12321407584_f3a8fff76e_o.jpg Olympics 2024: Men's triathlon postponed due to concerns about current Seine water quality | Olympics News | Sky Sports - Journal Global Internet - #GLOBAL BLOGGER - #GLOBAL

[galaexia]

paralympic opening ceremony was so good

[thepaisley]

IPC - WeThe15 from Sam Pilling on Vimeo.

A film to launch the #WeThe15 movement – spearheaded by the International Paralympic Committee and International Disability Alliance.⁣⁣

-- 2022 AICP AWARDS - WINNER (Cause) CANNES LIONS - SILVER / Casting (film craft) D&AD AWARDS - Wood Pencil / Casting BRITISH ARROWS - SILVER / casting BRITISH ARROWS - SILVER / Entertainment & Sports Promotions BRITISH ARROWS - BRONZE / Innovation & Immersive Experiences CDA AWARDS - WINNER / Commercial CREATIVE CIRCLE AWARDS - SILVER / Editing SPORTS EMMY - nomination

-- 2021 SHOTS - SILVER / charity CAMPAIGN - #11 / Top 15 Film Ads of the Year 1.4 AWARDS - SILVER (FLYING HIGH) / commercial - planet positive ⁣⁣ The movement, #WeThe15, takes its name from the 15% of the global population who have a disability: the world’s largest marginalised group. With the goal of putting the rights of the 15% at the heart of the global inclusivity agenda. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ The Tokyo 2020 Paralympics start today! Our film launches the #wethe15 movement and will be shown as part of the opening ceremony to a global audience of over 250 million people. Made in partnership with Adam & Eve DDB, the International Paralympic Committee and the International Disability Alliance, we hope this film helps to shift the narrative around people with disabilities - away from one in which they are either stereotyped as objects of pity, or put on a pedestal �

Huge thank you to all the Cast & crew across the world who gave up their precious time to help bring this film to life ��

STARRING: Kirin Saeed, Crystal Marshall, Wayne Huggit, Brinston Tchana, Martha Ciana, Chris Coxon, Cindy-Jane Armbruster, Asa Bebbington, Asif Ali, Rajesh Kalhan, Jacob Chambers, Yusef, Bethany Asher, Ekow Otoo, Jessica Margraff, Frank & Cindy Williams, Mukandi Mashamba, Camphill Football Team, Evans Maripa, Nathan Hanekom, Rory Avenstrup, Monica e Lino, Max Ulivieri, Loredana Grandi, Lorenzo Casarini, Carlos Neme

THANKS TO: C-Talent and Dan Edge, Bev and Gatehouse, Pulse Italia and Giorgio Testi, Jenni Haberstock, Ryan Booth, Dav & Hillary, Bird and Indochina Productions

CREW: Agency: Adam & Eve Agency producers: Hannah / Rebecca /Jack CCO: Rik Brim Creative Director: Laura Rogers Creatives: Gen & Selma Production: Pulse Films MD: James Sorton & Davud Karbassioun Executive Producer: Lucy Kelly Producer: Dave French PM: Kishan Patel PA: Ellie Sanders Wright PA: Honey Cairns DP: Alex Barber & Chloë Thomson Focus: Merrit Gold Production Designer: Beck Rainford Set Assistant: Grace Bailey Props: Lloyd Vincent Grip: Johnny Donne Gaffer: Paul Molloy Stylist: Hannah Hopkins Stylist Assistant: Adam Martin H&MU: Gaby Winwood H&MU Assistant: Georgia Ryan 1st A.D: James Sharpe Playback: Alan Muszynski Sound: Stephen Hodge Boom Op: Esther Aside-Ofei Casting: Anna Stark CAPE TOWN Gatehouse Commercials EP: Beverley Wynne Producer: Karin Tanchel PM: Daniel Stoffberg 1st AD: Jaco Nel DP: Shaun Harley Lee Focus: Khalid Manuel Art: Willow Howell Make-Up Stylist: Annette Keet Sound: Henau Marais Location Manager: Bhut Gladstone MILAN Pulse Italia Executive Producer: Giorgio Testi Producer: Giulia Negretto Director: Tobia Passigato DP: Diego Indraccolo BANGKOK Indochina Productions EP: Nicholas Simón Producer: Atrachariya Pinitsanpirom (Bird) DP: Nicolas Axelrod Art Director: Salem Kardeeroj 1st A.D: Napon Limsomwong (Kwan) Casting Director: Sarawanee Yodnoon BOGOTA DP: Mauricio Vidal Editors: Ellie Johnson, Liam Bachler & Elyse Raphael at Tenthree Colour: Simon Bourne at Framestore Colour Producer: Chris Anthony VFX: Untold Studios Track: The Mohawks - The Champ (1968) Sync and Music Composition: Luis Almau at Soundtree Music Sound Design: Sam Ashwell & Mark Hellaby at 750mph Film Stock: Kodak Scans: Cinelab London Print: Dejonghe

[insidesporthindi]

Paralympic Opening Ceremony LIVE: कुत्तों के साथ नजर आए इजराइली एथलीट, देखिए उद्घाटन समारोह की तस्वीरें; Follow Live Updates

[hummingzone]

Live: The journey for Australia's 179 Paralympians starts tonight with the opening ceremony

Live: The journey for Australia’s 179 Paralympians starts tonight with the opening ceremony

The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games are here, with Australia boasting a strong team of 179 athletes. Read more about the Tokyo Paralympics: The Games begin tonight with the opening ceremony in the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo. Stay up to date with all of the action this evening on our live blog below. Live updates 4m ago4 minutes agoTue 24 Aug 2021 at 8:26am By Michael Doyle Key Event 43m ago43…

[aci25]

A Beautifully Expressive Hand Ballet Performed by 128 Performers in Wheelchairs

As part of the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games closing handoff ceremony, French choregrapher Sadeck Waff created an absolutely gorgeous and beautifully expressive hand ballet performed by both professional and amateur performers in wheelchairs. The performance opened with Oxandre Pecku, the first person in France to receive a “bionic” arm from Open Bionics, and then turned to the stage of the wheelchair performers who gracefully moved their arms in time with each other and with the music, which was composed by Woodkid and performed by Orchestre National de France.

[bocciaraf]

A sporting account… on Tumblr?

Bit of an experiment, this. Hopefully not a mistake.

Hello. I’m Rafael. I play boccia, which is a Paralympic sport (e.g., a sport which is in the Paralympics, like goalball, wheelchair rugby, etc). It’s a cousin of pétanque, lawn bowls, curling, and all those other sports whose ancient ancestor is someone going “I bet I can get my rock closer to that pebble over there than you can get yours”. Boccia is played indoors, in a space almost exactly the same size as a badminton court, as individuals, in pairs, or teams of 3. In the UK the overwhelming emphasis is on individual play, although pairs and teams competition is growing in global significance.

I’m a member of the newly reformed England squad, run by our governing body Boccia England, and I’m classified as a BC3 athlete - that means that instead of throwing or kicking the balls, we roll them down a ramp instead. The ramp is positioned, and balls set up on it for us, by a Ramp Operator - for me, that’s either one of my personal assistants, or increasingly, my partner. The RO isn’t allowed to see what’s going on on the court, they have to keep their back to it at all times during matchplay - they’re only allowed to physically help, not tactically help.

Playing boccia changed my life - I’ve always been a competitive person but until I discovered the sport in 2012, aged 27, had not only no access to participate in sports but no idea that a sport I could meaningfully play even existed. My sporting career is a direct legacy of the 2012 London Paralympics; it was the presentation of the Boccia UK Squad at the opening ceremony which resulted in the penny dropping. I was at my first club session within a few weeks, and attended my first competition a few weeks after that - I won a bronze medal, and was hooked.

My breakout year was the 2018-2019 season; our last complete season before the pandemic brought everything to a screeching halt. That year I zoomed my way through the Heathcoat Cup national finals - our ‘second division’ competition, a precious space for beginner and improving players to learn their trade without getting steamrollered by the pros - which qualified me directly into the BE Cup Finals, which is the de facto England national championship. I won my pool, unbeaten, and ultimately came 4th, which saw me begin the 2019-2020 season ranked 5th in England, behind two international athletes and two England players.

After that came a funny couple of years; half a season and two bronze medals in BE Cup Qualifiers before the pandemic stopped everything, and then a heavily modified “Back to Boccia” season for 2021-2022, at which I won the gold medal at two of the three Back To Boccia Cup events, went and won the qualifying tournament for the German National Boccia Championships in Düsseldorf - broadening my horizons as a dual national - before being selected for my very first Boccia UK Challenger. The Challengers are events run by BUK to provide the UK national squad, and selected others from the home countries, with additional formal competition experience. At the Gloucester Challenger there were 4 Boccia UK-supported athletes; two men from the World Class Programme and two women being supported in their development with coaching and world-class equipment, including Paralympian Scott McCowan, who had come 4th in Tokyo just nine months earlier. I beat all four UK athletes, and ultimately came second to my England colleague Matt Berry. That silver medal is my greatest achievement, to date. Matt and I followed that up with another one-two finish at the special, pandemic-edition competition run within the talent pathway as a substitute for the England national championships, which resulted in my being selected for my very first UK National Championships, where I lost only to the two McCowan brothers, Paralympians both, and ultimately came 6th. Just a fortnight later I was in Berlin, where I won the silver medal in the German National Championships.

I’ve just kicked off the 2022-2023 season with a very solid 5th place at the first BE Cup qualifier competition, and I’m off up to the SMILE Boccia Open tomorrow, to train up a shiny new personal assistant as a ramp operator. Wish us luck!

http://www.rafaelyoung.co.uk

[tealingual]

2020 Summer Olympics vocabulary in Finnish

Kesäolympialaiset kaksituhattakaksikymmentä - 2020 Summer Olympics Tokio, Japani - Tokyo, Japan Heinäkuu, elokuu - July, August Kaksituhattakaksikymmentäyksi - 2021 Seremonia - ceremony Avajaiset - opening Loppugaala - exhibition gala Päättäjäiset - closing Olympiastadion - olympic stadium Japanin kansallisstadion - Japan National Stadium Olympiatuli - olympic flame Olympiarenkaat - olympic rings Mitali - medal Kulta - gold Hopea - silver Pronssi - bronze Palkintokoroke - podium Laji - sport Ammunta - shooting Baseball - baseball Golf - golf Jalkapallo - football Jousiammunta - archery Judo - judo Karate - karate Kiipeily - sport climbing Koripallo - basketball Käsipallo - handball Lainelautailu - surfing Lentopallo - volleyball Maahockey - field hockey Melonta - canoeing Miekkailu - fencing Nykyaikainen viisiottelu - modern pentathlon Nyrkkeily - boxing Painonnosto - weightlifting Paini - wrestling Purjehdus - sailing Pyöräily - cycling Pöytätennis - table tennis Ratsastus - equestrian Rugby - rugby sevens Rullalautailu - skateboarding Softball - softball Soutu - rowing Sulkapallo - badminton Taekwondo - taekwondo Taitouinti - artistic swimming Tennis - tennis Triathlon - triathlon Uimahypyt - diving Uinti - swimming Vesipallo - water polo Voimistelu - gymnastics Yleisurheilu - athletics Paralympialaiset - paralympics Tapahtuma - event Kilpailu - competition Kilpailija - contestant Osallistuja - participant Urheilija - athlete Selostaja - commentator, sportscaster Ei katsojia - no spectators, no audience Koronaviruspandemia - COVID-19 pandemic Siirtää - to postpone Osallistua - to participate Kilpailla - to compete Katsoa - to watch Voittaa - to win Hävitä - to lose

[mayflower02]

ブルーインパルスは、航空自衛隊のアクロバット飛行隊です。2020東京五輪、パラリンピックの開会式に合わせて展示飛行を行いました。

Blue Impulse is an acrobatic squadron of the Air Self-Defense Force.An exhibition flight was held in conjunction with the opening ceremony of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.

写真は東京五輪当日（2021/7/23）、パラリンピック予行飛行（2021/8/22）のため、東京タワーと東京駅上空を飛行するブルーインパルスです。

撮影する事が出来て、とてもラッキーでした！

The photo shows the Blue Impulse flying over Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Station on the day of the Tokyo Olympics (July 23, 2021) and the preliminary flight for the Paralympics (August 22, 2021).

I was so lucky to get to shoot it!

東京上空をブルーインパルスが飛行するのは、昨年、医療従事者への感謝の展示飛行がありましたが、大変珍しいです。

It is very rare to see the Blue Impulse flying over Tokyo, although there was a display flight last year to thank the medical personnel.

（Photo 2021/7/23、8/22） photographer by mayu