River talk

Outdoor engagement

By SANDY LONG
Posted 3/2/22

When I want to reap the many benefits of being outside, immersed in the energizing forces of the natural world, I’m able do so simply by hiking the nearest woodland trail, paddling a local …

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River talk

Outdoor engagement

Posted

When I want to reap the many benefits of being outside, immersed in the energizing forces of the natural world, I’m able do so simply by hiking the nearest woodland trail, paddling a local waterway, or donning snowshoes and heading into a forest blanketed in snow and brightened by sunlight. Not everyone is so privileged.

Awareness of this truth came to mind recently as I watched parts of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Interspersed among the feats of incredible physical and mental prowess was the occasional advertisement for the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games. Contrasted against the stories of fully able-bodied athletes, some of whom benefit from the additional privileges of private coaches and other support systems, were images of athletes competing with physical and visual impairments that would keep most of us indoors rather than outside in winter’s elements.

The powerful authenticity of those stories and what they suggest about human resilience renewed my interest in the Paralympics, as well as my intention to watch it this year.

In what might be the largest Paralympic Winter Games in history, the 2022 Winter Paralympics will feature up to 736 Paralympians across 78 medal events. They will compete across six different sports, including alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing, sled hockey, snowboarding and wheelchair curling.

The Games will begin with an opening ceremony on March 4 and conclude on March 13. Visit https://bit.ly/3JTtYjr for details on how to watch the profound feats of physical and mental prowess that will be revealed by athletes who are up against mind-blowing challenges that would stop most of us cold. Get inspired, then opt to go outside for your own winter adventure.

outdoors, paralymics, accessibility, disability

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