“Again in 2016 after I first began listening to and even contemplating the Paralympics, you could not discover any protection,” Colorado Paralympian Kyle Coon mentioned.
DENVER — The Paralympics kicked off in Paris on Wednesday, and for the primary time in Paralympic Video games historical past, there shall be live coverage for all 22 sports.
The video games run from Wednesday by way of Sept. 8. As many as 4,400 athletes from world wide shall be competing, together with a number of from Colorado.
Lots of eyes shall be on one specific Colorado athlete, Jataya Taylor. Taylor will make her Paralympic debut in wheelchair fencing. She trains in Colorado on the Denver Fencing Middle.
“She’s been on this upward trajectory and we’re going to see what occurs on the finish and it’s going to be tremendous thrilling,” considered one of her coaches, Nathan Anderson, mentioned.
Anderson is the founding father of the Denver Fencing Middle and obtained a grant from the U.S. Olympic Committee to begin a wheelchair fencing program in Denver. The objective of this system was to get an athlete certified for the 2028 Summer season Olympics in Los Angeles, in order that they’re forward of schedule.
“It’s completely insane, however we’re glad to have her, glad that she went on this journey,” Anderson mentioned of Taylor. “We need to have the flexibility for individuals with disabilities to have the identical athletic alternatives that the able-bodied individuals have, in order that’s actually vital.”
This 12 months, the identical athletic alternatives means extra protection. The Worldwide Paralympic Committee announced for the primary time, 8 billion individuals may have the chance to observe all 22 video games, probably the most Paralympic protection within the Video games’ historical past.
“We have been ready for this, that these athletes get their due they usually’re getting the identical protection, the identical illustration that the able-bodied individuals get,” Anderson mentioned.
The large enchancment in protection shouldn’t be misplaced on Paralympian Kyle Coon.
Coon calls Colorado residence and can compete within the triathlon occasion in a number of days. He competed in Tokyo, however fell 40 seconds wanting a medal.
Coon mentioned this sort of protection generally is a sport changer.
“Individuals cannot be taught or care a few sport till they see it. Again in 2016 after I first began listening to and even contemplating the Paralympics, you could not discover any protection wherever,” he mentioned.
“We’re not right here to take part. We’re right here to compete, and we’re right here to compete on the highest stage, and so that’s actually, actually thrilling that individuals now get to witness that,” he mentioned.
A lot of the U.S. coverage of the video games shall be on Peacock in addition to a number of subchannels. Each Anderson and Coon hope the added protection will inspire the subsequent technology.
“I might love nothing else to encourage some youthful athlete that comes alongside and makes me appear like a bumbling outdated idiot,” Coon joked.
“If a child can see that they’ve a possibility to do a sport, it is unbelievable to have that chance and to have the ability to see that chance,” Anderson mentioned.
Anderson plans to journey to Paris to observe Taylor compete subsequent week. Taylor’s events will start on Tuesday, whereas Coon’s triathlon will happen on Sunday.
