Rising Phoenix: Heroes of the Paralympics
I was at the London 2012 Olympic Games. I witnessed with dumbfounding inspiration the incredible feats of sporting heroes, as well as the moments where dreams were dawned, achieved, and crushed. As a 12 year old 2020 hopeful, watching Michael Phelps as he received an award for his breathtaking achievements made tangible the thought of one day also swimming in the Olympics.
The Olympic games represent something more than just competition, they exist as a checkpoint at which only the most dedicated, talented, and ruthless can reach (as discussed in Exploring Athlete A). This worldwide movement provides the opportunity for nations to come together every 4 years in support of their athletes as they represent the hopes and spirits of their homes. And yet somehow, I had no idea about the e...