Kevin Paul, PLY’s Post

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

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.

Here's the story behind what made Nishad Kumar enter the Paralympics. [ Nishad Kumar, Silver Medal, Paris Paralympics 2024, Paralympic Games ] #NishadKumar #SilverMedal #ParisParalympics #ParisParalympics2024 #ParalympicGames #IndiaAtParis #IndiaAtParis2024 1Connect Events & Publishing Rishi Sutrave

🏅 The 2024 Paris Olympics has kicked off, and we are proudly cheering on the 43 incredibly talented local athletes who have trained their whole lives for this moment! 🌟 If our team were to become Olympic athletes, these are the sports they would choose! 🥇 Which sport would you compete in? Let us know in the comments! #lvpublicrelations #vegasprpro #lasvegaspr #vegaspragency #rhythmicgymnasticsolympics #teamusa #volleyballolympics #tennisolympics #badmintonolympics #swimmingolympics

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

With the 2024 Olympics now over, we surveyed Brits to understand if they began training today, do they think they could make the Olympic team in 2028 and if so, in what sport? #olympics #YouGov #MarketResearch

As a field hockey 🏑 player at Maryland (yep! GO TERPS! 🐢), I learned about the concept of "perceived pressure"—when an opponent is near but not close enough to actually impact your play. You feel the pressure, but much of it is just in your head. Life’s limitations often work the same way. We convince ourselves we can't do something without even trying, setting up our own barriers. But here’s the thing: those limitations are like that distant opponent—more imagined than real. Take Paralympians, for example. These athletes don’t just push boundaries; they shatter them. Despite facing challenges most of us can only imagine, they redefine what’s possible with every race, jump, or throw. Look at athletes like Tatyana McFadden - professional, who has won multiple gold medals across five Paralympic Games; Sheetal Devi, a 17-year-old armless archer from India who hit a bullseye on her first shot; or Zakia Khudadadi, who won the first medal for the Refugee Paralympic Team despite facing unimaginable obstacles. Their accomplishments are a testament to the power of resilience, determination, and refusing to let perceived pressure or limitations dictate their potential. With just a few days left in the Paralympics, I encourage you to tune in and witness the power, athleticism, and talent of these incredible competitors. They’re living proof that perceived limitations are just that—perceived. So, what’s your “distant opponent” or your “perceived pressure?” How is it holding you back, and what can you do to rewrite the story you’re telling yourself? If Paralympians can achieve greatness by overcoming unimaginable odds, maybe it’s time we all re-evaluate the limitations we place on ourselves. United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee LA28 Olympic & Paralympic Games International Olympic Committee – IOC International Paralympic Committee #paralympics #limitations

I Bet You Didn’t Know: The Olympics - I Bet You Didn’t Know winners in the ancient Olympics received free meals, free pass to the Colosseum and Wreath Bouquets. -I Bet You Didn’t Know in 393, AD Roman Emperor Theodosius banned the Olympics because he felt it encouraged paganism. - I Bet You Didn’t Know for the 1924 games Paris created the first Olympic Village. Prior to this participants stayed in hotels, schools and private homes. - I Bet You Didn’t Know from 1912-1948 Art & Music was a competitive event. This ended in 1954 when the IOC felt it was dominated by professionals. - I Bet You Didn’t Know 1904 was the first time Gold, Silver and Bronze were awarded. - I Bet You Didn’t Know for this year’s Basketball event features 76 current/ former NBA Players on 11 teams. - I Bet You Didn’t know in 1996 Archer Poala Fantao was the first athlete to participate in the Olympics and Paralympics during the same year! - I Bet You Didn’t Know the 2000 opening ceremony North and South Korea marched together under a unified Korea Flag. - I Bet You Didn’t know the Paralympics were formed in 1948 by UK soldiers that used sports to help them recover from WW2 injuries. Today, Paralympics is the World’s 3rd largest sports event behind the Olympics and World Cup! - I Bet You Didn’t Know there’s five types of private mortgage insurance. For details contact [email protected] #Olympics #Olympic #athletics #Paris #France #history #education #Paralympics #Paralympics #Paris2024 #mortageinsurance #privatemortageinsutence #mortagebroker #commericalmortagebroker #trivia #knowledge

Visually impaired runner Libby Clegg and Paralympic guide Chris Clarke ran wrist to wrist, perfectly synchronized, and won gold in the 100-meter and 200-meter races at the Paralympic Games in 2016, breaking the Paralympic world record! Interestingly, Clarke didn’t make it for England’s national team and couldn’t compete in the 2016 Olympics, but he made a comeback by partnering with a winner in the 2016 Paralympic. He and Clegg trained for only two months together, and he helped Clegg see what she couldn't see. The takeaway? Winners need opportunity. When a winner partners with another winner, the likelihood of success DOUBLES. Are you teaming with winners? Repost this to your winner partners! #Success #Teamwork #Partnership #Cofounders

𝐈𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧? The Paralympic Games, a testament to human spirit and resilience, have consistently showcased extraordinary athletic feats. Yet, the recognition and accolades bestowed upon Paralympic athletes often pale in comparison to their Olympic counterparts. This disparity, despite the immense talent and dedication displayed by Paralympians, is a glaring oversight that needs to be addressed. Athletes like 𝐀𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐢 𝐋𝐞𝐤𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚, who shattered world records and brought home gold medals, deserve the same level of appreciation and celebration as any Olympic champion. Their achievements are no less remarkable, if not more so, given the challenges they overcome. It's time to recognize that athletic excellence transcends physical limitations. Let's break down the barriers that perpetuate this inequality. We need to amplify the stories of Paralympic athletes, celebrate their triumphs, and ensure they receive the support and recognition they truly deserve. By doing so, we can foster a more inclusive and equitable sporting landscape. #ParalympicAthletes #EqualRecognition #SportsEquity #AvaniLekhara #Inspiration #MKM18