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I recently got into a discussion with a friend who is organizing our country's first international wheelchair tennis tournament. "Can I play" I asked, and he seemed slightly disgusted by my question.
The fact that I have full usage of my legs gives me zero advantage in this sport so I can't see why not. Whenever the topic of wheelchair sports come up I always hear superlatives of how amazing these athletes are. I suspect these athletes are no more or less impressive than other athletes. From a disabled person's point of view, what would be more important: That participation in their favorite sport grows or that a few of them can hold on to an elite position in a sport practiced by very few?
The fact that I have full usage of my legs gives me zero advantage in this sport so I can't see why not. Whenever the topic of wheelchair sports come up I always hear superlatives of how amazing these athletes are. I suspect these athletes are no more or less impressive than other athletes. From a disabled person's point of view, what would be more important: That participation in their favorite sport grows or that a few of them can hold on to an elite position in a sport practiced by very few?
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It would be a revealing comparison, and well worth checking out.
Give Djokovic a few weeks of wheelchair mobility training and I bet he would beat all the world's best wheelchair tennis players.
I'd guess it would be quite insulting to a disabled person.
Didn't Prince Harry play in one of the wheelchair events in the invictus games 
Try spending a couple of months living your life in a wheelchair, without cheating, and see how you feel then.
If nothing else you might learn a bit of respect.
If nothing else you might learn a bit of respect.
Kudos to all these people that overcome some horrific problems and can do what they do. They have my utmost respect. What I dont understand is the media fawning all over them, I dont and will never watch any of the events on tv. There seems to be a plethora of categories which must make the number of participants allowed decrease and thus the real competitiveness of the event can be questioned. I dont feel good about myself for thinking like this, but there it is. As for the original poster, I would hope that on a friendly basis anybody should be allowed to take part and then they can see how dedicated and difficult it is to do what these handicapped athletes do in their wheelchairs. Obviously serious competition for medals and chmpionships etc would be restricted to those who are handicapped.
Don't watch it pounf. I don't like netball so I don't watch it, pretty simple really.
Mr69 an able bodied person would have a huge advantage because they could do other sports/gym for mobility and fitness.
If it was a social type event I think it would beefing but if taken seriously the furore over able bodied people winning would be too much
If it was a social type event I think it would beefing but if taken seriously the furore over able bodied people winning would be too much
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