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Another #Olympics may be done and dusted....Tom Cruise has abseiled into the Stade de France (Sorry Tom you're not a patch on Queen Elizabeth parachuting but nice try!). But the spirit of competition and excellence is far from over. 28th August marks the start of the #Paralympic Games - highlighting the incredible abilities of #disabled athletes. I am am blown away by that fact that 24 athletes competing in this year's Paralympics have used Back Up's services at some point in their journey to #Paris! The Paralympics are not just a sports event; they are a global movement that challenges perceptions, breaks down barriers, and fosters inclusivity. These athletes train with the same intensity and determination as their Olympic counterparts, often facing additional hurdles both on and off the field. Supporting the Paralympics also means advocating for greater visibility and accessibility in all aspects of life. It’s an opportunity for businesses, communities, and individuals to commit to creating environments where everyone can thrive. As the Paralympic Games begin, let’s rally behind these incredible athletes, celebrate their victories, and ensure their stories are told with the same enthusiasm and respect that we have shown the Olympians. The journey of excellence continues, and it is one that everyone should be a part of. International Paralympic Committee International Olympic Committee – IOC #teamgb The National Lottery Community Fund #disabilty #spinalcordinjury #sport

🥇Triumph Over Adversity: Hailey Danz Clinches Gold at Paris 2024 Paralympic Games🥇 In an inspiring display of resilience and skill, Wauwatosa’s very own Hailey Danz soared to victory in the women's PTS2 paratriathlon at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. This monumental win marks her first gold medal and serves as a testament to the power of determination and perseverance. 🌟 Personal Reflection: I remember watching my first Paralympic event, amazed and deeply moved by the athletes' tenacity and spirit. Hailey's victory brings back that profound feeling of admiration. It reminds us all that challenges, whether physical or mental, can be transformed into triumphs. 🔍 Engaging Element: - Have you ever faced a challenge that seemed insurmountable? What was your path to overcoming it? - How do stories like Hailey's inspire you in your personal or professional life? Let’s celebrate Hailey’s outstanding achievement and reflect on our own journeys. Share your stories of overcoming challenges in the comments below! #Paralympics2024 #Resilience #Inspiration #Triathlon #Wauwatosa #OvercomingChallenges #AthleteSpirit #GoldMedalAchievements 📷 Image: Hailey Danz in action at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games Discover more tips, insights, and resources by visiting our site at https://lnkd.in/gvyUpeG6

From a fifth-place finish in Tokyo to claiming two gold medals in just 24 hours, Ezra Frech is on a mission to become the greatest Paralympian of all time. "I believe this is what I was put here on this earth to do—normalize disability, change perceptions about what is possible as an amputee, and win back-to-back golds." Discover more about this incredible double Paralympic champion in my feature below. https://lnkd.in/eY6N_gu8

What can others learn from Paralympian Curtis McGrath’s story of overcoming adversity? How can the Paralympics boost conversations — and action — around inclusion and diversity? Here are my thoughts. To further boost inclusion, organizations could: Partner with Paralympic athletes for workplace talks on resilience and diversity. Review and enhance workplace accessibility policies. Promote adaptive sports programs in local communities. McGrath's story reminds us that with the right mindset, support, and determination, we can overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges and achieve greatness. #LinkedInNewsAustralia

During the Paris Paralympics, have you seen the white NPA flag go up often and wonder which nation does it represent & which anthem plays when someone from that team wins gold? 👉 NPA stands for 'Neutral Paralympic Athletes' and is used to represent individual athletes from Russia & Belarus, after the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) banned the two nation's participation in the Paralympics given the ongoing war 👉 The IPC vets the athletes and only those who have no involvement or affiliation with the war and military are allowed to participate 👉 In Paris, there are 96 participants from Team NPA across 5 sports, majority of them from para-athletics and swimming. 👉 When someone from NPA wins gold, which has happened about 22 times thus far, the Paralympic anthem is played but their medal wins are not officially recorded on the medals table 👉 Similar team structures have been created in the past for representatives from Yugoslavia (1992), East Timor (2000) and refugees & asylees (2016) before an official Refugee Paralympic Team has been created from the 2020 Tokyo Games.

What can others learn from Paralympian Curtis McGrath’s story of overcoming adversity? How can the Paralympics boost conversations — and action — around inclusion and diversity? Here are my thoughts. #LinkedInNewsAustralia I've met Curtis McGrath and he's a great bloke with an incredible story. With his German-made bionic legs he walked up the stairs to the podium to deliver a speech at a conference I was running. His approach and resilience and achievements captures the essence of what makes Australia great. For Australians, sport is a great leveler for conversations. We just watched in ore as the Australian Olympic team in Paris punched above their weight and returned 53 medals including 18 gold. We ranked 4th overall. Based on our population we deserve to rank 55th. On average we rank 8th across all Olympics. But when you talk Paralympics, that's another level up again. Australia ranks 6th on average across all games. The stories of our Paralympians help us appreciate not only their determination to overcome adversity, but to also highlight the human factor. At the end of the day we are all different but we are all the same in so many ways. Note: AI was not used to write this post;)

Curtis McGrath's journey is a powerful testament to the strength of resilience, positivity, and the human spirit. His story demonstrates that even in the face of extreme adversity, it's possible to find a path forward and thrive. One key takeaway from McGrath's experience is the importance of maintaining a positive mindset, even when life throws its hardest challenges at us. It's natural to feel overwhelmed by negative responses or setbacks, but these don't have to define our journey. Instead, they can serve as opportunities to reflect, regroup, and continue moving forward with renewed determination. I often remind myself of a simple yet profound analogy: If we desire something, a cup of coffee on the table in front of us, for instance, we can't just wish for it to come to us. We have to take action, get up, and reach for it. Similarly, in life, we must take proactive steps toward our goals, knowing that while we can't always control the outcomes, we can control our efforts. As long as we keep pushing forward, there is always hope for a positive result. McGrath's ability to shift his focus from what he had lost to what he could do is a powerful testament to the transformative power of mindset. In the midst of losing his limbs, he was already thinking about how he could use what he had left to build a new life. This shift from dwelling on loss to seeking out new possibilities is what propelled him from a place of despair to becoming a two-time Paralympic gold medalist. His story also highlights the importance of being open-minded and agile. McGrath didn't just accept his circumstances; he explored new avenues, like Paralympic sport, which he had never tried before. This willingness to step outside of his comfort zone and repeatedly strive for improvement is a key ingredient in his success and a valuable lesson for all of us. In every aspect of our lives, McGrath's story encourages us to hold onto hope, stay positive, and constantly push ourselves to do just a little bit more. No matter the obstacles we face, there is always the potential for something positive to emerge as long as we keep moving forward. Let McGrath’s journey remind us that with resilience and a positive mindset, we can turn our adversities into opportunities for growth. The right attitude combined with determined effort can make all the difference. #LinkedInNewsAustralia #Resilience #PositiveMindset #Reflect

Russian athletes win six medals on second day of Paris Paralympics After the two day of competition, Russian athletes have won a total of nine medals PARIS, August 30/ Russian athletes won one gold, one silver and four bronze medals on the second day of the Paris Paralympics. Andrey Kalina became the champion in the men’s 100m breaststroke SB8 race. Vladimir Sotnikov won a silver medal in the men's 100 backstroke S13 race. Swimmers Kirill Pulver, Darya Lukyanenko and Viktoriya Isciulova won bronze medals. Runner Andrey Vdovin came third in the men's 100m T37 race. After day two of the competition, Russian athletes have won a total of nine medals: one gold, three silver and five bronze ones. The Paris Paralympics will end on September 8. Russian athletes are authorized to compete only in neutral status, and their medals will not be taken into account in overall medal count. #business #finance #financialservices

How Inclusion in Paralympics Can Transform Climbing: Funding and Recognition Discover how inclusion in the Paralympics can have a profound impact on climbing, leading to increased funding and recognition. Explore the potential benefits for athletes in Canada and worldwide, and the opportunities for growth in the sport. #InclusionInParalympics #ClimbingFunding #SportRecognition #AthleteSupport #Paralympics #SportGrowth #SportsFunding #ClimbingCommunity #ClimbingOpportunities #GlobalSports

Humankind sets itself limitations all the time. But then someone comes along and reimagines what is possible. We have a whole team of Paralympians from Australia about to show us how they've reimagined what is possible on the world stage #ImagineWhatWeCanDo #ParalympicsAustralia #PublicisAustralia #LinkedInNewsAustralia