Up to a few days ago I did not even know that wheelchair fencing existed! I found out
when I bought the tickets … I arrived in time for the final between a Chinese, Wu Baili, e Yu Chui Yee from Hong Kong … I was expecting it to be static … I was wrong .. the chairs are tied to a platform to avoid that the repeated movements on the torso to avoid the hits of the rival would cause it to tip over … the dodging is spectacular, the lightening movements of the arms, the back goes backwards in defense and then immediately it bends forward to hit the rival until the chest touches the knees … the mutual study, the looks and the foils still in the air, for a few seconds, before the duel starts, shut the spectators up and give suspense, which melts away in joy or disappointment when the light indicates who scored the winning hit … by now it is clear to me that on a wheelchair if you want to you can do anything!
A lot of China and little Italy in this discipline which, if I am not mistaken, is the one which gave us more medals in the history of the Olympic Games …
In the central aisle of the Excel Centre you can breathe a truly international air and it is not only because the smells of kebab, pizza, curry and fish and chips mix one another, but also because all the continents and races are represented … this aisle is how the world outside should be … happy people, who interacts regardless of the religion, politics and nationalisms, economic interests …
Women’s sitting volleyball closed my evening … the spectators gone wild under the notes of we will we will rock you of Queens, beautiful and determined athletes and spectacular hits cancel the tiredness caused by the exaggerated run of this morning in Kensington Garden … it was years I had not run like that … and I exaggerated having fun like crazy …
On the English newspapers a lot of emphasis is given to the Paralympics, in these days Pistorius holds the stage … who has accused the Brazilian who has defeated him in the 200 of using prosthesis which give him an advantage … the same they used to say about him when he wanted to race among the ‘normal’ … nobody likes losing … not even Pistorious … who has given so much to the Paralympic movement …
The English have surprised me … ok the multitude of bicycles … ok the friendly and perfect organization … but the Macarena with the people dancing on the terraces during the time out … that I was not expecting …