The post-holiday winter doldrums might not get people fired up about sports – until you think about how much is waiting for us. As the Olympics in Sochi take over our TVs, America will be enjoying anything and everything taking place on ice and snow. It’s hard not to catch that Winter Olympic fever, no matter how sunny your home state. What we need to get just as motivated for, however, is what immediately follows: The Paralympic Winter Games, showcasing the achievements of athletes with impairments. Each time, those Games reignite the competitive fire in a sector of the population that was once discounted as having sports potential. What we need to ask ourselves, however, is what we’re doing in our communities to offer and promote sports for athletes with special challenges – and how to make our events truly welcoming. (Think about it; it would be a great New Year’s resolution.)
Winter doesn’t have to be dark and cold. When we look at it in the right light, it is filled with excellent sports opportunities – for everyone. And that means everyone.
Skateboarding and BMX are among the original extreme sports, popular among athletes who like an extra dose of thrill with the competition. But in recent years, these fast and furious sports have captured the imaginations of young athletes and spectators alike, creating a strong and growing popularity and catching the eye of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). more....