Special Olympics

strokemyclover

I'm sorry for bringing up the topic but I haven't noticed it being discussed elsewhere in the forum. I'm just wondering why?

We usually take pride in the smallest of things to do with Ireland regardless of whether it's Irish or not but it seems we're not so quick to do it with this. What's going on?

Even for AH, I'd expect a certain level of decorum around this topic. I know there are some strong opinions out there, some should be saved for 4chan. Personally, I don't take pride in it but do welcome such events and I have supported it in more than an indirect way in the past.

I have heard some say that the whole notion is a disgrace as the concept of olympics are about the strongest, fastest, biggest among the human race - these opinions have changed due to circumstances and now the special olympics are welcomed by those who have ridiculed it in the past. What do you think?

Chris P. Bacon

So what do you want to discuss?

strokemyclover

Chris P. Bacon wrote: »

So what do you want to discuss?

I'm just looking for people's opinions on the subject. I do think it's something that can be discussed maturely within the boundaries I have outlined

Oranage2

I dont watch it, i have no interest in it and i just about watch it slightly less than the real olympics which is not at all!

HerrScheisse

I be "climbing out yo' window" on this topic yo!

efb

There probably on less drugs than the other Olympics, but at least theirs are prescribed by a doctor.

Chris P. Bacon

strokemyclover wrote: »

I'm just looking for people's opinions on the subject. I do think it's something that can be discussed maturely within the boundaries I have outlined

When is it on?

uch

Worked with a guy who participated in the special Olympics and to see the pride in his face just to participate makes it all worth while,, he was all after representing Ireland

Frank Black

Putting "What do you think?" after a post doesn't make the preceding ramblings into a question.

pragmatic1

Fair play to all the athletes. We need all the good news we can get atm.

strokemyclover

black francis wrote: »

Putting "What do you think?" after a post doesn't make the preceding ramblings into a question.

How am I rambling? As I said (in my ramblings) I have helped out the special olympic movement for more than 5 years in the past and am not out the ridicule anything to do with it. Sounds like you're just reading what you want

Frank Black

strokemyclover wrote: »

How am I rambling?

You just are - OK?

krudler

When the fcuk did we get icecream?!

strokemyclover

Mods, close it down! I apologise for posting this topic at this hour at this time of week. Nothing good can come of this.

Superbus

My sister didn't get through the trials for the botcha the last time, so fcuk 'em.

'Everyone's a winner' - yeah, if you manage to get there.

Chris P. Bacon

strokemyclover wrote: »

Mods, close it down! I apologise for posting this topic at this hour at this time of week. Nothing good can come of this.

It probably would of been better to post it on a weekday in fairness.

saa

Its rambling because you're dreadful at writing, no one here can read what you're actually trying to say which is specific and portrays some kind of angle.

Okay take a deep breath, think this time and clarify what you're trying to say good boy.

stevejr

uch wrote: »

Worked with a guy who participated in the special Olympics and to see the pride in his face just to participate makes it all worth while,, he was, after all, representing Ireland

FYP- good post deserved it.

Coriolanus

Personally I think it's a disgusting waste of money. But no more or less than most of the money pissed away on behalf of the country by various quangos.

stevejr

saa wrote: »

Its rambling because you're dreadful at writing, no one here can read what you're actually trying to say which is specific and portrays some kind of angle.

Okay take a deep breath, think this time and clarify what you're trying to say good boy.

Not nice to post such a dickish thing!

HerrScheisse

strokemyclover wrote: »

Mods, close it down! I apologise for posting this topic at this hour at this time of week. Nothing good can come of this.

It is too late. Pandora's box has been opened.

Chuck Stone

I think it's great. Back in the day they wanted to kill these folk because they were a threat to the health of the species.

Fucking retards*.




*Eugenicists.

krudler

saa wrote: »

Its rambling because you're dreadful at writing, no one here can read what you're actually trying to say which is specific and portrays some kind of angle.

Okay take a deep breath, think this time and clarify what you're trying to say good boy.

who's this blow in?

cesc77

Its a bit ridiculous calling it "Olympics".

I thought the word special was seen as disparaging now?Bloody patronising to call a disabled child special,I think.

I dont aspire to the pc crap,as is obvious,but when there is not a clear definition between special and non-special,to be included you have to fall within a certain spectrum,which is very difficult to determine.The fact ringers can win in these things can make it seem a bit ridiculous.

Good luck to all the participants and the dedication that they have,but it is a bit bollox when you have people of slightly different disabilities competing directly against one another

stevejr

Chuck Stone wrote: »

I think it's great. Back in the day they wanted to kill these folk because they were a threat to the health of the species.

Fucking retards*.




*Eugenicists.

Sailing close to the wind with that one boy!

celj

Nevore wrote: »

Personally I think it's a disgusting waste of money. But no more or less than most of the money pissed away on behalf of the country by various quangos.

Waste of money by who exactly?
The special Olympics is purely sponsored.
Anyway I'd prefer the athletes got money that governments have managed to piss away for the last few years.

mkdon05

Was I shleeping?

celj

Chuck Stone wrote: »

I think it's great. Back in the day they wanted to kill these folk because they were a threat to the health of the species.

Fucking retards*.




*Eugenicists.

Really no need to add that at the end just to be smart.

Mods this really should be moved or closed as a lot of people are going to get very insulted.

flutterflye

I didn't realise it was on.
Is it on atm?

Well personally, I don't follow the olympics, the world cup, or any sport ever.
So special olympics is no different.

If I knew someone competing, that'd be different.

Tbh, I don't really understand this thread, and what is supposed to be discussed.

uch

cesc77 wrote: »

Its a bit ridiculous calling it "Olympics".

I thought the word special was seen as disparaging now?Bloody patronising to call a disabled child special,I think.

I dont aspire to the pc crap,as is obvious,but when there is not a clear definition between special and non-special,to be included you have to fall within a certain spectrum,which is very difficult to determine.The fact ringers can win in these things can make it seem a bit ridiculous.

Good luck to all the participants and the dedication that they have,but it is a bit bollox when you have people of slightly different disabilities competing directly against one another

I think we have a SPECIAL one !

Yahew

celj wrote: »

Really no need to add that at the end just to be smart.

Mods this really should be moved or closed as a lot of people are going to get very insulted.

The only people who would get upset at that post would be Eugenicists.

stevejr

strokemyclover wrote: »

Mods, close it down! I apologise for posting this topic at this hour at this time of week. Nothing good can come of this.

Have a set of balls man, you've a good point to make. Make it.

HerrScheisse

Special Olympics is all about participating.

Olympics is all about winning.

Which Olympics has the most happy people?

eigrod

I admire the carers and assistants for these athletes (and, indeed, for any carers and assistants for those with special needs). The patience , selflessness and understanding these people have is truly magnificent.

I wouldn't last 5 minutes doing it.

Yahew

Anyone get the impression that strokemyclover posted to see if there would be an anti-special olympics reaction, confirming himself in his moral superiority?

Well there hasn't been a reaction, and he's still now asking the mods to close his thread down. What?

Oranage2

HerrScheisse wrote: »

Special Olympics is all about participating.

Olympics is all about winning.

Which Olympics has the most happy people?

The people that arent special?

HerrScheisse

Oranage2 wrote: »

The people that arent special?

Yes! Indeed! But isn't everyone special in their own special way!

cesc77

uch wrote: »

I think we have a SPECIAL one !

Like Jose?:)

Why thank you.

Although,what is wrong with saying that the word special is patronising to people with a disability and that there are ringers involved in these events?

celj

cesc77 wrote: »

Like Jose?:)

Why thank you.

Although,what is wrong with saying that the word special is patronising to people with a disability and that there are ringers involved in these events?

Ringers??What do you mean exactly?

cesc77

celj wrote: »

Ringers??What do you mean exactly?

We have a sensitive one here.

Dont be offended by terms you havent heard of or the fact that people will do anything to win in life.


Oh,google it.

Chuck Stone

stevejr wrote: »

Sailing close to the wind with that one boy!

In all honesty that's what first came to mind when I think of eugenicists.

celj wrote: »

Really no need to add that at the end just to be smart.

Mods this really should be moved or closed as a lot of people are going to get very insulted.

I mean no harm to people who mean no harm to me. See above

Yahew wrote: »

The only people who would get upset at that post would be Eugenicists.

Thank you Sir.

---

As I said earlier I think it's fantastic that we have an olympics for these more vulnerable members of our societies.

When I was watching the news during the week I couldn't help but be impressed by the achievements of all the special olympians but what I found particularly touching was the immense pride and joy expressed by the families of the special olympians.

Good folk imo.

HerrScheisse

celj wrote: »

Ringers??What do you mean exactly?

When I hear the word "ringers" the thoughts of Healy Rae telephone lines are conjured in my mind.

Superbus

Superbus wrote: »

My sister didn't get through the trials for the botcha the last time, so fcuk 'em.

'Everyone's a winner' - yeah, if you manage to get there.

Christ that's an undignified post - I should point out that even the trials were a great experience, and that she has friends who participated in the real thing - the joy they got out of it was something else.

And to the people referring to ringers and other bull, please go fall down an infinite hole.

Oranage2

HerrScheisse wrote: »

When I hear the word "ringers" the thoughts of Healy Rae telephone lines are conjured in my mind.

Ringer in this context is a guy pretending to be retarded so he can win in the special olympics

celj

cesc77 wrote: »

We have a sensitive one here.

Dont be offended by terms you havent heard of or the fact that people will do anything to win in life.


Oh,google it.

I'm not sensitive,I will though ask questions of others regarding this issue as my daughter has participated.
I asked what you meant by ringers?
I wonder what dealings you've had with the Special Olympics to come to the conclusion that"ringers" are involved in running the organization?

HerrScheisse

Oranage2 wrote: »

Ringer in this context is a guy pretending to be retarded so he can win in the special olympics

Sounds like what happened in the Dail to me!

joshrogan

It isn't my cup of tea but fairplay to them.

baby and crumble

I don't normally post in AH but I just have to say, I work with people with intellectual disabilities and while I hate the term 'Special Olympics' (like most I think it sounds patronising) the feeling behind it is great. The guys I work with train incredibly hard to get in and go to represent their country. Seriously, most of them are incredible athletes.

Athlete advert

I love that ad picture.

The money to send the athletes and team members is raised from grassroots collections, so it's money that was given freely to get the programs up and running. A lot of people don't know that behind the scenes there's a free health screening programme for all athletes from all nations, which is great for athletes from lower socio-economic backgrounds and developing countries.

Just saying

Oranage2

HerrScheisse wrote: »

Sounds like what happened in the Dail to me!

<snip>

celj

Oranage2 wrote: »

<snip>

Really clever using language like that in a thread about the Special Olympics.
You should be very proud of yourself.

ascanbe

The Special Olympics is a great as a concept and, though i've never been or volunteered so i wouldn't know, seems equally great in reality; and the way it was embraced by Ireland and the show put on by the organisers and volunteers here is one of the few things Ireland can be truly proud of over the last number of years.
It occured when a lot of this country was still high on the hubris of the Celtic Tiger and many people felt we had nothing to 'prove' to world, yet many people saw fit to put great effort in to making it work as well as possible, even though doing would seemingly garner relatively little attention or praise.
People are never entirely selfless; anything people do is somewhat guided by the 'what's in it for me?' principle. But that definitely was mostly motivated by a certain good, positive feeling and displayed humanity at its best.