I think that one South African will be aware of the documentary Chasing the Sun, in which we followed the Springboks in their build up to their eventual win of the Rugby World Cup. However perhaps less well known at this point is the documentary Rising Phoenix.
This documentary follows the lives of 9 Paralympian athletes, as they journey towards the games. I came across this documentary just in time, considered that at the time of writing, the Paralympics were in full swing with team South Africa having already been more successful than their Olympic counter parts.
It is perhaps the time where differently abled people will receive more TV time, than another time for the next four years at least. It is also a time where they are the focal point, as those who are achieve overcoming and pushing boundaries.
This perhaps leads into the power of these games, and the positive impact that is has had not only on those who are differently able but also on society as a whole and their perception of differently abled or disabled individuals. It also raises awareness that many of these disabilities are not as clearly visible and that this group is far from homogeneous.
As such this builds into the ideology of the games, which sees sport as a human right, one in which every person must have the possibility of practicing sport without discrimination, which obviously would require the mutual understanding of the spirit of friendship, solidary and fair play. This is one of the reasons now the Olympics has a one city, one bid approach, in which the city biding for the Olympic Game will also host the Paralympic Games.
The goal of the games is to challenge and change public perception and attitudes towards disability, and to celebrate the achievement of athletes who have crafted their trade and overcome several obstacles along the way. With the goal of having both games being viewed as part of an integrated whole.
Like all things in life the games will come to an end, with all participating country flag-bearers coming into the stadium together, without national discrimination for the lowering of the Paralympic flag and for the process of preparing and training to start again for many athletes and for those inspired by the games to start. Not only having amazed us with the power of human resilience and achievement but also having inspired so many.