Life after Rio

Earlier in the year we heard from paediatric physiotherapist Julie Gray, who was looking forward to being part of the Rio Paralympics. Julie went to Rio as the Head of Classification for the International Canoe Federation (ICF). Now she's settled back in to normal life, we asked her about her experiences.

What was the atmosphere like?

The atmosphere in the athlete’s village and in Rio was joyous. The Brazilian people were so friendly and welcoming, and the Carioca spirit covers every aspect of daily life. They want to share it with all their guests, to help them to feel a little of the sheer joy of living, and to take it away with them to wherever they are going in the world.

Did you watch other sports and what did you enjoy most?

Obviously, I was working at the games, and was not able to see as much as I would have liked. I actually saw very little of the Paracanoe competition as I was working at boat control. But friends taped it for me, and I had a chance to watch when I got home. I even managed to catch a glimpse of myself clapping and cheering at a medal ceremony.

I did manage to get to the Brazil V GB wheelchair rugby match, which is a fantastic sport to watch. The noise in the stadium from the Brazilian supporters was deafening, even though GB won the match. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to watch Paralympic sport.

What was the best thing about being in Rio?

The best thing about being in Rio was definitely the people and the culture. Although the Lagoa venue for the Paracanoe event was stunning, with Christ the redeemer watching over the racing. He was definitely smiling on the GB team, as they came away with 3 gold and 2 bronze medals. The sun sea and sand of Copacabana beach also deserves a mention, with its backdrop of sugar loaf mountain. Last, but not least, was a memorable evening of dancing at a samba bar.

What have you taken away from the experience?

What I have taken away from the experience of the games is massive respect for the dedication and professionalism of everyone involved in making the events successful. The International officials, like myself and the team from ICF Paracanoe, and the National organising committee, worked together seamlessly, in whatever role they assumed, to make everything run smoothly. Added to that was the coordination with the wonderful volunteers, for whom nothing was too much trouble, and whose personalities were as vibrantly colourful as their uniforms.

Do you think the Paralympic games in Rio were a success?

The games in Rio were an amazing success. There always seem to be problems in the run up to a games, and the doom-mongers prophesy that nothing will work, as either the organisers aren’t skilled enough to bring everything together, the transport system will be overloaded, or the venues will not be finished. However, the Rio organisers did an incredible job.

How do you think the games altered attitudes towards people with disabilities?

I’m not sure that these games have altered attitudes to people with disabilities overall, as there’s a vast difference between the admiration and awe that the general public feel for these elite athletes, and the still almost invisibility felt by the average disabled person on the street.

However, changes in the public’s perception of disability sports, and the sportsmen and women who perform so fantastically, have come rapidly in the wake of the London 2012 games, and that change has only been cemented by what they have witnessed in Rio 2016. 

The vast majority of people I have talked to, looked forward to watching the Paralympics far more than the Olympics, and felt that the Para sports were far more exciting than the able bodied versions. 

The stars of the Paralympics are household names, and their progress has been followed, and triumphs applauded, in exactly the same way as the Olympians. People watching the Paralympics don’t see a “disabled person” any more, they just see an athlete. Hopefully, this change in attitude to disability will continue to filter through to people in all walks of life.