One of only a few paratriathletes during the event, Ryan doesn’t want anyone to think of him any differently than the other competitors.  In fact, he’s challenging anyone who dares to think otherwise.  “We all have the same physical battle, he said.  “And as far as training, we can do it just like anyone else.  And we’re out to beat you.”

Praet wasn’t always a paratriathlete, but the degenerative disease retinitis pigmentosa has left him with only eight percent usable vision.  He competed solo in six Ironman competitions, starting back in 2000, but he had to make the switch to a paratriathlete last year.  Now, he uses various guides to get him through the course.  While swimming and running, he is tethered to a partner, and while biking he uses a tandem bike.  Last year, in an Ironman competition in Lake Placid, he and his partner placed second.

Praet stresses that their goal is to always perform at or above the level of the able-bodied athletes they compete against.

Praet is an athlete at heart and when his vision deteriorated, he lost the ability to participate in many of the sports that he loved.  Triathlon helped fill that gap and fulfill his need to be an athlete; to challenge himself and push himself to succeed.  As a goal-oriented and driven person, triathlon is his haven, and no matter what designation he must give himself–paratriathlete or otherwise–he’s there to compete, he’s there to win, and he’ll work as hard as anyone else out there to accomplish that.

Good luck, Ryan.

Source:  http://www.metronews.ca/ottawa/local/article/686953–don-t-feel-sorry-for-us-warns-visually-impaired-ironman-athlete

The controversial Yankees owner, who was infamous for his fights with various players and coaches in his staff, was an owner who demanded those working for him nothing short of absolute success.  While his attitudes about winning may have been cumbersome, his own accomplishments were realized as a direct result of that winner’s spirit. 

When George acquired the Yankees, the franchise was worth only 10 million dollars.  Now, a model of the modern franchise, the Yankees are worth over 1.5 billion.  Under Steinbrenner’s iron fist, the Yankees went on to win seven World Series Championships, eleven American League pennants, and 16 AL East titles.  George was a man who expected the best, and he clearly had a chance to revel in his successes many times.

George was never shy about spending money to achieve those successes, either.  At one point, Larry Lucchino, president of the Boston Red Sox, dubbed Steinbrenner’s Yankees, the “Evil Empire.”  Many of the player acquisitions that Steinbrenner was a part of were the most expensive ever seen.  Later, they became the first team to reach a 200 million dollar payroll.  When this milestone was reached, Baltimore Orioles owner Bennett Williams was once quoted saying that Steinbrenner stockpiled outfielders “like nuclear weapons.”

Love him or hate him, Steinbrenner was a huge part of baseball.  His win no matter what attitude made him exceptionally popular among his fans while simultaneously making him one of the most disliked owners in professional sports for stacking his team with talent at great expense.  Even Yogi Berra, who fought with Steinbrenner for 14 years expresses a great deal of adoration for George.  Yogi said, “He built the Yankees into champions, and that’s something nobody can ever deny. He was a very generous, caring, passionate man. George and I had our differences, but who didn’t? We became great friends over the last decade and I will miss him very much.”

George was a winner, no doubt, and that meant the world to him.  He often said, “Winning is the most important thing in my life, after breathing.  Breathing first, winning next.”

To read the original article, please go to http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/13/george-steinbrenner-dead_n_644215.html?view=print

Arnold uses a coach when playing in tournaments and on his own.  He and his coach, Arnold Schmock, played golf against each other as far back as 1984.  In 2001, when Arnold began to lose his sight, he asked Schmock to become his coach so that he could begin to play in blind golf tournaments.  Schmock’s answer came back quickly.  “When do we start?” Schmock asked.

When playing, Schmock will lead Arnold to his ball and line up the club face so that it is centered on the ball.  He also lines up his hips so that he’s aiming in the right direction  From there, it’s all Arnold.  As a blind golfer, Arnold’s swing is a little different.  While a sighted golfer will allow some motion in his hips and legs to get a stronger swing, Arnold’s lower body stays rigid so that he can make sure that he stays in line with where Schmock placed him.  Arnold can now tell immediately if he’s hit the ball wrong, as well.  Before Schmock even has the chance to inform him that his shot was a hook or a slice, Arnold already knows by feel alone and usually jokes with Schmock that he gave him the wrong club.  Schmock also guards him from the mental games that golf offers as well.  If there is a bunker or a water hazard in front of him, Schmock won’t say a thing.  He’ll aim him where he needs to hit, tell him the distance, and Arnold will swing.  That way, he won’t be nervous about hitting the water or the beach and will swing better.

Unfortunately for Arnold and his team, the Canadians took home the trophy in this year’s match, saying that if Arnold and his crew want it back, they’ll have to come get it at next year’s tournament when it’s held in Nova Scotia.

There’s no doubt that Arnold will be there.

To read the original article, please go to http://blog.cleveland.com/medinasun/2010/07/for_visually_impaired_golfer_t.html

The process is pretty simple.  Paul’s handler drops two plastic boxes, each with a country’s flag printed on the outside, into Paul’s tank.  Inside each box are identical mussels for Paul to dine on.  Since everything is portioned equally, Paul is not swayed to make one choice over the other.  Whichever box he opens to grab the mussel from is going to be the winner.

Since he is a German Octopus, most of the picks were based on German games.  Every time that Paul picked them to win, they did.  Unfortunately for the Germans, Paul also picked their opponents as well, including their loss to Spain in the game that decided who would go to the finals.  Paul ate the mussel behind the Spanish flag and the rest, as they say, is history.

After that German loss, many were calling for Paul’s head, or tentacles, depending on how you look at it.  They demanded that he be cooked for going against the Germans in such an important game.  It’s an odd superstition for sure, but when the octopus is always right, many people apparently put a lot of faith in it.  Paul’s handlers have assured the people that he will not be cooked as a result of his picks.

Up until Sunday, Paul was perfect, picking the winner of all seven games correctly.  When Spain and the Netherlands met this afternoon for the finals, Paul proved to be right again.  While it took Spain 116 minutes to finally score the goal that would win them the game, Paul’s pick took a mere 10 seconds.  He must’ve known from the start.  He better hope that the Dutch don’t have a taste for octopus, too.

Paul also picked the winner of the game for third place between Germany and Uruguay, with Germany coming out on top.  If he’s right, it will mean a perfect 9 for 9 with his World Cup picks and a lot of people shaking their heads wondering how he did it, or if it’s just coincidence.  A whole lot of coincidence.

Monday morning update:  Paul was right about Germany.  He finished 9 for 9.

To read the original article, please go to http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/09/paul-the-octopus-makes-tw_n_640575.html

Just as in the Women’s 2008 Paralympic goalball game for gold, the U.S. Women’s National Team and the China Women’s National Team squared off once again for a rematch during the 2010 IBSA Goalball World Championships.  Both the U.S. and China had remained undefeated throughout the Championships leading into the gold medal match. China still dwelling on the Paralympic gold medal loss two years ago was looking for retribution. The game started at a quick pace with each side trying to remain on the offensive with neither side budging. The U.S. conceded a goal midway through the first half by bouncing the ball off the arm of Lisa Czechowski, who played center, and then it rolled off the shoulder of Asya Miller, playing left wing. 

In the opening seconds of the second half, Czechowski with the first throw found the back of the net scoring for the U.S.  China however recovered quickly and scored their second goal shortly thereafter.  Asya Miller and Jennifer Armbruster, playing the wings, pounded the China defense hoping to find a gap to score but not able to do so.  China scored again midway through the second half which became the final score, China 3 U.S. 1, giving the U.S. Women silver medal and a berth in the 2012 London Paralympic Games. 

The U.S. Men faced off against Iran in the bronze medal game.  These teams faced each other earlier in the competition during pool play.  The U.S. got to work quickly during the match with the first goal.  Iran wasting no time scored the next two goals by the end of the first half which proved to be the difference.  By the end of the game, each team added two more goals each and Iran emerged victorious with a final of Iran 5, U.S. 3. 

For more information, please visit the championship’s official website at http://www.worldgoalball2010.com/  or The Audio Network at http://pressakey.net/wc2010/index.php

After the match ended with the 6 foot 9 inch tall Isner getting a blazing backhander past Mahut, Isner dropped to his knees, victorious, but notably exhausted.  Immediately following the match, the judges and the two players were awarded special gifts that were presented in wooden boxes.  The players looked as if they were struggling to hold them. 

When asked for a comment about his opponent, Isner simply said, “What more can you say? To share this day was an absolute honor.”  Mahut, though defeated, said to a reporter, “At this moment, it is just really painful.  Thanks to you guys, you were completely fantastic. John deserved to win. He served unbelievable. It was an honor to play. We played the greatest match ever, and Wimbledon is the greatest place to play.”  In order to stay in the match, Mahut needed to serve 65 times in the 5th set.

This is one of those games that whether you play tennis or not, you’ll remember for a long time.  Both players refused to give up, refused to let exhaustion get the best of them, and they played their hardest until the very end.  While records are always made to be broken, this one seems like it will remain unchallenged for a while.  Because, really, who wants to play one match for 11 hours, and who even has the strength and endurance to pull it off?

To read the original article, please go to http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-wimbledon-longest-match,0,1719439,print.story

Believing that soccer is a universal sport that should be accessible to everyone, FIFA president Joseph Blatter is excited that they will be able to offer a unique live experience for blind and visually impaired fans attending the games in South Africa.  15 seats in 6 different stadiums will be reserved for the blind and visually impaired.  Each will be outfitted with a set of headphones and specially-trained commentators will cover every pass, shot, and goal of the games.  Each of those 15 seats will also have a reserved spot for guides as well.  Trained volunteers will also be on hand to provide assistance if it is needed.

By offering this experience to blind and visually impaired soccer fans at such a large venue like the World Cup, hopefully other professional sports will recognize its value and incorporate these services in their stadiums as well.  That way, no matter what, everyone can enjoy the games that bring us together.

To read the original article, please go to http://clicknews.org/live-fifa-world-cup-2010-for-the-blind-and-visually-impaired/10483/

In an email exchange that was just made public, the ambassadors have put a steak dinner on the line; loser pays.  Apparently Phillip Breen, a spokesperson for the American Embassy to the U.K., is said to have been the one to initiate the exchange between the two.

The two countries have a long World Cup history.  The last time they met each other was in the 1950 game, where the U.S. pulled off an amazing one to nothing win against the English that has been called “the Miracle on the Grass” ever since.  Since the English were bested last time and have had to wait very long to compete with the U.S. again, and the U.S. wants to maintain its winning record, both countries want this win badly.

In Breen’s initial email he jokingly said, “We will understand if you decline, given the outcome of the last such encounter.”  In response, the English Embassy quickly accepted the bet, adding, “The British Ambassador does not anticipate paying out.”

As the emails were exchanged back and forth, the dialog became a battle of wits and joking jabs at the other country.  The English made sure to mention that, “The history of English football is long and extensive, in contradistinction to U.S. soccer.”  The American Embassy retorted with, “It is true that our soccer (a fine English word we have kindly preserved for you) history is not as long and illustrious as yours. However, as your generals noted during WWII, we have a unique capability for quickly identifying and advancing talent.”

The two teams will meet this Saturday, both hungry for a win, and with ambassadors cheering them on, hungry for a meal.

As the email exchange died down, the British Embassy made sure to get one last comment in, saying, “The Ambassador takes his steak like American soccer victories – somewhat rare.”

It’s safe to say that these games have always brought the world together to celebrate the globally recognized sport.  And even though there are two countries who have started their feud early on, it’s all in good fun and will perhaps set the scene for the next steak dinner sometime in the future.

To read the original article, please go to http://blogs.abcnews.com/theworldnewser/2010/06/world-cup-wager-tests-ukus-special-friendship.html

One aspect that is getting a lot of attention is the new ball that will be used.  Called the ‘Jabulani’, which means “to celebrate” in Bantu, it’s made by Adidas.  The ball is made like no other ball currently available.  Unlike previous balls, it’s made of synthetic materials and not leather.  It’s made up of 8 panels instead of the normal 14 and is held together by thermally bonding the panels instead of using stitching.  This construction process creates the roundest and truest ball that’s ever been used in the World Cup games.  The fewer amount of seams also make for a larger striking surface, allowing shooters to hit the ball harder and more accurately.  The bonding process also reduces drag and improves the ball’s flight path.

These features make the ball faster than ever, something which should excite the fans, as it promises to make for higher scoring games.  However, goalies aren’t as happy.  One United States goalie says that the ball’s construction makes it very unpredictable in flight, almost like a baseball pitcher’s knuckleball, and thinks that the teams should decide which ball should be used, not the commission that makes these decisions.

Adidas is also outfitting a few teams with some seriously innovative uniforms that promise to improve the player’s agility.  The jersey’s are called TECHFIT, and utilize specially-placed bands that are meant to improve speed, jumping ability, and reduce fatigue.  Apparently the bands minimize muscle vibrations, making these impressive pronouncements possible.  I suppose we’ll see how well they work when the teams step onto the field.

The World Cup begins June 11.

To read the original article, please go to http://www.fastcompany.com/node/1652668/print

While this may not seem possible for a blind person to accomplish, equipment has been developed to aid blind shooters.  When they arrive at their shooting station, they put on a headset that’s connected to a computer system.  Their rifle is equipped with an infrared sight.  As the infrared beam gets closer to the target, they hear a beeping noise in their headphones that increases in both frequency and pitch as their aim nears the center of the target.  If they’re aiming too far right, the beeping will come through their left headphone, instructing them to adjust in that direction.  McKeever says that regular hand eye coordination is a must for rifle shooting.  But being blind, he must rely on ear hand coordination, something that people just aren’t used to doing.

With plenty of practice and his ability to make up any loss of time or points with his incredible skiing prowess, McKeever should do well in the event.  He’s already won a gold medal for Canada in the 20 kilometer cross-country skiing race.

To read the original article, please go to http://www.teamusa.org/news/2010/03/17/athletes-find-humor-in-visually-impaired-biathlon/34674