It’s day two of the Paralympics and at 8:30am tussles are already breaking out for security check into Olympic Green. The “no bags” queue clearly has lots of bags and mysteriously runs slower than the other queues. Yet the swarthes of volunteers seem oblivious to this fact: welcome to logistics, Chinese style. The security checks for the underground seem half hearted, and many venues still not signed up properly.
Looking back though BOCOG did an excellent job at the Olympics: crowd control was organised, transport to and from the venues sufficient, volunteers were helpful – even the weather held up throughout most of the games. The opening and closing ceremonies both breathtaking (despite learning of the singing girl’s miming), and who could complain about the Olympic green itself: magnificent and beautiful, if not a tad too big.
Now, at the Paralympics, much of the arrangements remain the same though superficial change is evident. Banners around town have all changed to “Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games”, volunteers now wear Paralympic shirts. The IOC have been replaced by the IPC (as have all corresponding road signs) and the Olympic traffic lane is now the Paralympic Lane. In the game the podiums have been replaced with wheelchair friendly slopes instead, French is no longer used in announcements, and nor are spectators asked to stand for the anthem (though most still do).
In the Olympic Green, I’d say the main change is the people. During the Paralympics a larger number of “day pass” tickets are available giving more the opportunity to just wander around the green. It also means more “common folk” – not to sound snobby but let’s face it China isn’t quite there yet with social sophistication – and that does mean more disorganisation. It’s free seating at the venues too, which is great for letting more people be part of the games, but does lower the atmosphere somewhat with people walking all over the place.
In terms of the sport it’s sad that most regard the Paralympics as second rate to the Olympics. That is understandable, yet those i’ve spoken to here who did not manage to see the Olympics and who wanted to see the venues, show no interest in Paralympics as they don’t want to watch disabled people. But Paralympic tickets are readily available (bar the water cube), and cheap, and therefore a great opportunity to be part of the Olympic movement.
If anything I find the level of competition even more amazing for a disabled athlete and in particular look forward to wheelchair rugby!