Pre-Para-Lympics - Tried and True: Part 1

Talk about Trials (and tribulations)! No, not the formal (rescheduled) Olympic trials that the aspiring Olympians had to pre-prepare for (twice, get it?) who were to be part of the contingent representing the United States in the Tokyo Summer Games, held from July 23rd to August 8th, who have since made the return trip home -- those who would eventually represent "US" in track and field (or, as they say in England, "athletics") traveled to Eugene, Oregon for this purpose, whereas the potential Team swimmers dove in the pool in Omaha, Nebraska. Meanwhile, para-llel to this, concurrently, most of the aspiring Paralympians traveled to Minneapolis, Minnesota. Such a parallel experience gives rise to the true meaning of "Paralympics" which derives from the Greek word "para", which means alongside. But, technically speaking, to accurately depict the actual timing of these Games, we would have to rename them something like 'conseculympics' or 'serialympics' as, ever since the Summer Games in 1960, which took place in Rome, the Olympics and Paralympics have been held within a few weeks of each other. Thus, in true spirit of these Games, many Paralympians representing all the countries involved have been arriving in Tokyo for the Summer Paralympic Games from August 24th to September 5th. 

       What I'm really talking about here, what you'll be hearing more about in the next few weeks assuming you follow me (back) to Tokyo, in addition to prepping for the Winter Games in Beijing, are about the trials and tribulations these athletes have endured, which is likely to exceed those of the Olympians they have followed to Tokyo, most likely exceed anything most of us have gone through. Whether congenital/inherited, or acquired through an unfortunate event in another stage of life, these athletes have had to make adjustments and innovations to overcome obstacles of everyday life, let alone those encountered on the track, in the pool, or any other athletic venue, way before they even imagined traveling to Tokyo. So, for those who have already landed, those in mid-flight, and those still prepping for departure, let's take off our hats and salute each and every one, each of these true heroes, whether they medal or not. Kudos to ALL!