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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?

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[Deleted User]

strokemyclover wrote: »

................. What do you think?

I do volunteer work for Special Olympics Munster once or twice a year, just stewarding and the like, bringing athletes to the starting line for their events or whatever. The absolute delight that you'd witness at the prize giving after the races is genuinely amazing. Wouldn't be overly interested in watching the actual Special Olympics on TV though, so too the actual Olympics.

Bruthal

Yahew wrote: »

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

No not really.

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

Still now asking? Only asked once that i can see, early on, a different poster then asked again.

Einhard

Ah I think it's great. I didn't even realise it was on, and was in the gym watching the news on one of the cross trainer things, and they reported on a girl who had one a medal in swimming. I wasn't in a particularly good mood, but the joy on her face, and the delight and pride she felt in getting the medal was infectious, and I ended up grinning like a goon. The other people in the gym probably thought I was abusing the steroids or something!:D

Kojak

Fair play to all that are taking part in the Special Olympics.

Its a pity more people don't put in as much training as these competitors, then we mightn't have the obesity problem we have in this country.

jugger0

Whats the fastest special olympics 100 metre time?

Superbus

jugger0 wrote: »

Whats the fastest special olympics 100 metre time?

It really doesn't matter.

Saila

Oranage2 wrote: »

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

thats so retarded though... oh yeah I see how that works now

BickNarry

flutterflye wrote: »

What I would love to see actually is an 'olympics off' between people with special needs, and the bast@rds in power who continue to reduce their financial, educational, and therapeutic resources, along with assistance for those who care for and assist them.

What would you be blowing on about?

strokemyclover

Yahew wrote: »

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?

I'm hardly going to get up on my high horse over some volunteer work I did when I was a teenager, chief! Calm down!

flutterflye

BickNarry wrote: »

What would you be blowing on about?

Yore ma.

Seriously though, I don't understand what you don't understand.
It's fairly self-explanatory.

Chuck Stone

jugger0 wrote: »

Whats the fastest special olympics 100 metre time?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_IPC_world_records_in_athletics#100_m_2

chillywilly

strokemyclover wrote: »

I'm hardly going to get up on my high horse over some volunteer work I did when I was a teenager, chief! Calm down!

You should express your own opinion first, without asking for everyone elses!

entropi

I know a guy who won a gold medal representing Ireland in the special olympics, fair play to him I say!

AskMyChocolate

ayeboy wrote: »

Ireland play England this morning in the Final of the soccer. KO at 9:30am our time I think.

Come on you boys in green!!

Is it being televised or is there anywhere online you can watch it live, do you know?

Forest Master

Master of Nothing wrote: »

I know a guy who won a gold medal representing Ireland in the special olympics, fair play to him I say!

I've never met any disabled person who didn't get a medal in the Special Olympics - they give them to everyone.

katiebelle

when you have a baby with a disability you get sick of hearing " sur he can compete in the special Olympics". Its later on you realize how great they actually are, especially if your child has a real talent in some sports. Its all about giving them the chance to be the best they can be. People with an intellectual disability are just as competitive as anyone else.

Can I just say that the R word ( Retard ) is absolutely "the" most offensive word possible for anyone with an intellectual disability or their loves ones. Its as bad as it gets There are huge campaigns to try and stamp out the use of this word.
You can wrap that word up in bows and hang fecking bells out of it and it would still be bad bad bad . It would be bad in any thread but totally out on line in a thread like this. I am though going to exercise my right to walk away from this thread and not read any further. At least that way I wont be offended again and again.

sunflower27

katiebelle wrote: »

when you have a baby with a disability you get sick of hearing " sur he can compete in the special Olympics". Its later on you realize how great they actually are, especially if your child has a real talent in some sports. Its all about giving them the chance to be the best they can be. People with an intellectual disability are just as competitive as anyone else.

Can I just say that the R word ( Retard ) is absolutely "the" most offensive word possible for anyone with an intellectual disability or their loves ones. Its as bad as it gets There are huge campaigns to try and stamp out the use of this word.
You can wrap that word up in bows and hang fecking bells out of it and it would still be bad bad bad . It would be bad in any thread but totally out on line in a thread like this. I am though going to exercise my right to walk away from this thread and not read any further. At least that way I wont be offended again and again.

Well said. I agree re the R word. I absolutely hate it.

Growing up in Australia, sports coverage was always pretty extensive and that included the Special Olympics. A big deal was always made about it for the competitors.

I saw a brief mention of it here on the news yesterday, but that is the first time I have seen anything on it.

stevejr

Einhard wrote: »

Ah I think it's great. I didn't even realise it was on, and was in the gym watching the news on one of the cross trainer things, and they reported on a girl who had one a medal in swimming. I wasn't in a particularly good mood, but the joy on her face, and the delight and pride she felt in getting the medal was infectious, and I ended up grinning like a goon. The other people in the gym probably thought I was abusing the steroids or something!:D

Juicer:pac:

karaokeman

In response to the general question about what this thread's discussion is, its about the Special Olympics and the usual snobbery.

I like many dislike the title "Special Olympics". Having said that I think it is a magnificent idea and a great source of pride for all people with disabilities.

The fact that many people have a problem with the SO just goes to show you the more bitchy side of Ireland. This is people who look down on you for not being as talented or smart in one area and those who think they are better in general.

"Retard" is to me the most insulting word you could use to describe anyone, disabled or otherwise.

[Deleted User]

jugger0 wrote: »

Whats the fastest special olympics 100 metre time?

Out in Cork Institute of Technology about 3 or 4 weeks ago at the Munster Special Olympics a lad ran the 100m in 12 ish seconds, that's from a standing start not out of blocks.

[Deleted User]

Forest Master wrote: »

I've never met any disabled person who didn't get a medal in the Special Olympics - they give them to everyone.

They don't give a gold medal to everyone, 1st gets Gold, 2nd Silver etc. Everyone may well get a medal of participation.

karaokeman wrote: »

.........

"Retard" is to me the most insulting word you could use to describe anyone, disabled or otherwise.

Indeed, it's apt enough for some of the numpties posting in this thread though.

wee bey

Mary Ellen Synon had a quite interesting article re special olympics. Main points were that it was patronising etc. She got massacred because of it by the PC brigade. Wasn't far off imo.

Bruthal

RoverJames wrote: »

Indeed, it's apt enough for some of the numpties posting in this thread though.

Yes, i hate to hear it used at all myself in any way.

ArmaniJeanss

wee bey wrote: »

Mary Ellen Synon had a quite interesting article re special olympics. Main points were that it was patronising etc. She got massacred because of it by the PC brigade. Wasn't far off imo.

It was the Paralympics she had a pop at.

Its a bit of an insult to the participants in both events when people can't even make the effort to differentiate between the two.

Forest Master

RoverJames wrote: »

They don't give a gold medal to everyone, 1st gets Gold, 2nd Silver etc. Everyone may well get a medal of participation.

No, they all get Gold.

Tubsandtiles

I remember the last time we hosted the special olympics and the town I live in hosted a country, nothing will ever beat the smiles on the faces of the teams as we waved their countries flag, made me feel proud to be Irish

arybvtcw0eolkf

I've trained with Olympians, both able bodies and handicapped, and the level of dedication on behalf of the athlete is probably comparable between the two.

And again speaking with some experience on the matter, the level of pride felt by the families and friends of those Special Olympic's Olympians far exceeds that of the able bodied.