"Remorselessly uplifting, challenging, and good"

28 August 2012

It's like Christmas Eve here at Channel 4, times about a kerjillion. Because there's ONE DAY TO GO!

One day until what promises to be a spectacular, thrilling and emotional opening ceremony, heralding the beginning of twelve days of sport the like of which, we can guarantee, you will never have seen before. The Paralympics are here, and they are going to be truly remarkable.

Think we're indulging in a little hyperbole? Then listen to Jon Snow, a man who's seen it all, done most of it, and covered everything from Mandela's release to the fall of the Berlin Wall.

"For myself, with very little exposure to disability, my Paralympic journey as a commentator training for the games has been one of the most exciting and uplifting adventures of my reporting life. Rare it is to encounter something so remorselessly uplifting, challenging, and good.

"They [the Paralympic athletes] are remarkable people playing completely absorbing sports and one thing people will discover is that when play begins, irrespective of the sport, you become absorbed in the play, not in the physical condition of the players. The Olympics may have thrilled us to the core; the Paralympics will take us somewhere else - one of the most exciting "places" I have ever been."

Speaking of good old Snowy, as he doubtless hates to be called, here is the Channel 4 News list of top tips for enjoying the Paralympics, including ticket info, big screen information, broadcast details, and athletes to watch.

While we're at it, here is a thumpingly awesome video which gives just a tiny taste of the mind-boggling, body-hammering amount of training, professionalism, sacrifice, dedication, blood sweat and tears that forms the daily life of your average Paralympian (two words that do not sit comfortably together).

And here is a fascinating and compelling article, written by James Ballardie, our own C4 Blogger, about why people should watch the Paralympics.

And so we find ourselves counting down the hours, minutes and seconds until the Games commence. Later today, the four national flames will arrive, carried from the capital cities of the UK, at Stoke Mandeville, the spiritual home of the Paralympics. There, the flames will be united, before the start of a 24-hour torch relay to Stratford at the end of which... well, you know the rest. And if you want an idea of what it's like to be involved in all the pomp and ceremony surrounding the Paralympic flame, look no further than this emotional video from Channel 4's own Martin Dougan.

One day to go, then. One day until the start of over 400 hours of coverage, covering 503 gold medals on offer in 21 sports to 4280 athletes from 166 countries.

Believe us, this is going to be extraordinary. Get ready to have your mind blown.

 

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