Paralympics Ireland: Perspective on all sides can benefit the future

LONGFIELD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 07: Mark Rohan of Ireland

As the year draws to a close, it seems almost second nature for publications right across the globe to churn out-feel good stories, jovial narratives and to stir up articles that will have readers flocking to the news-stands in anticipation and interest.

It’s natural and it’s traditional; now has always been a time to look back on the year that’s past before our eyes, to survey the highs and the lows and to think on the wonderful achievements that have been accomplished. Somehow, it puts everything into perspective.

In sporting circles, this is always the inevitable way to round off the previous 12 months – to celebrate the accolades taken home by those at the peak of their powers and to honour those who have pushed their bodies and minds to the absolute limit.

For the athletes themselves, they will each have a personal gem they’ll keep with them from the year gone by, something to give them focus and to remind them of what it is they are capable of achieving. Hopefully, it might even aid them in their efforts to push through their limits and better themselves as a sports person; it might give them the edge they need.

And it is precisely this which is the most important element to take home from all the nostalgia and contented back-ward glances that are going on right now; it’s important to know one’s limits.

When an athlete can identify a weakness in their methods or in their preparation, it is then that they can try to push past it and improve upon themselves. It’s a well-known fact.

And despite how some of these parasport participants might make it look, it’s not an easy task to undertake.

Earlier this year, Ireland’s paralympians experienced tremendous joy in a variety of fields as a number of their team won some hard-fought, memorable medals in their respective disciplines. Mark Rohan is sure to cherish his silver medal in the time trial of the hand-cycling World Championships in Canada for a long time to come, much as his fellow paralympians will look up to him for his hard work and dedication.

And rightly so, because it took a huge effort for him to do so, and that’s putting it mildly.

Amazingly, his recent time trial win is probably not even the highest point of his career to date.

Fighting back from a horrific motorcycle accident that left the 32-year-old paralysed from the chest down over 12 years ago, Rohan displayed an immense level of conviction that simply knew no bounds on his inspiring road to recovery and success as he glided to two famous victories at the London 2012 Paralympic Games – winning glistening gold on both occasions, much to the delight of his Irish supporters.

Looking at this Irish athlete’s superlative-defying record underlines precisely why pondering on past failures is not merely a sentimental undertaking; it offers us an insight into the possibilities for the future.

No doubt, in his own way, the man from Westmeath in Ireland’s midlands spent much time thinking how to refine his approach and exceed what he had already achieved when he got back on his handcycle following a dreamlike and heady 2012. Otherwise, how could anyone possibly attempt to eradicate personal bests or win even more medals?

Yet that’s precisely what the avid sports enthusiast did when he showed tremendous stamina to claim his silver medal at the World Championships in the third largest sporting event on the paralympic schedule. By securing his place on the podium, Rohan beat his personal best in the process and threw down yet another marker to not only himself but to his competitors and rivals as well.

Rohan’s undertakings are a testament to the constant betterment that all honest athletes strive towards, and in the end he duly received his reward and the glowing appreciation of his peers, as well as the adoring media. In short, he took stock of his bearings and gained perspective from everything and, as a result, he was able to move forward in the right direction.

LONGFIELD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 07: Mark Rohan of Ireland approaches the finish line on his way to winning the Men

But the talented para-cyclist – along with the rest of the Ireland team who’ll be out to improve on the 16 medals they snatched at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London – simultaneously threw down a marker to lovers of sport right across the country by achieving greatness, too. Their successes were wordless, powerful acts that sparked many, including the Irish government, into affirmative action.

In fact, towards the beginning of 2013, the Minister for Tourism & Sport Michael Ring announced an investment of nearly €1 million into Paralympics Ireland which was certainly a huge coup for the sport. Frankly, the amount isn’t nearly enough for an organisation that is constantly expanding its reach, especially considering that it has so many eager athletes keen for success. But it was a step in the right direction, and it was one many will hope keeps the honours rolling in and the feel-good factor burning for years to come.

After all, it’s the vision of Paralympics Ireland to lead “elite Irish Paralympic athletes in achieving sustained competitive excellence and inspiring the nation of Ireland.” Clearly, there’s no doubt that they’ve been doing exactly that and more over the past number of years. So it only seems apt that a nation’s representatives should receive public support from the people they endeavour so hard to motivate and impress.

Planting the seeds for the future is something that is vital in every sport in every nation, and it’s not just important that they plough money into it without heeding its effects or without first consulting how best to utilise the funds available.

A look at Canada’s very recent decision towards the beginning of November to invest heavily in Paralympic sports with the construction of a state-of-the-art Aquatics Centre ahead of their 2016 trials shows just how other nations are also realising the importance of investing early.

With the Summer Paralympic Games just over the horizon in 2016, the immediate focus will surely be there, but before the pomp and ceremony gets under way there is a lot of time in between for all involved to get themselves on the right path. Intelligent decisions have yet to be made, and the means to use the money can still be carried out wisely.

As Nancy Chillingworth, Paralympic Performance Director said in March, 2013: “The four year performance plan for Rio can now be implemented in full with increased support to sports, sports science and medical provision and improved levels of professional technical expertise to assist athletes. The plan sets us on a path to sustained success at Rio 2016.”

Along with this, Allianz Ireland have also shown tremendous support to Paralympics Ireland over the last number of years by proudly sponsoring them. And the news in mid July that they would renew their support in preparation for the Games in Rio was yet another massive lift for all concerned as it’s already helped to galvanise the team and raise awareness throughout the land.

But perhaps most importantly of all, however, is the fact that right now, all across the country, selfless volunteers are giving up their time, setting out their stalls, to show the general public what even a little investment could do to kick-start someone’s push for glory as they recently launched their “Pin and Support” campaign to raise funding for a wide range of paralympic sports.

Accessibly and openly, people are being given the opportunity to publicly show their support for a cause that people can believe in, and to help out a group of athletes who have shown that with the right financial aid and backing they have proven themselves more than capable of exceeding their potential and pushing past the many ceilings that have been imposed upon them.

As Mark Rohan himself told Paralympics.ie a year ago : “Since 2009, Paralympics Ireland has helped me access some of the world’s best coaching, sports-science, medical and psychologist support. This was a key factor behind my two gold medals at London 2012 and towards the team’s overall success. As an Irish athlete, I’m extremely proud and grateful for the help.”

Which brings us around once again to the notion of looking backwards.

Mark Rohan’s triumphs or even the recent eight-medal haul that the Irish Paralympic Swim Team brought home from Montreal is always going to be a wondrous moment to reflect back on, but it’s also vital that these very driven athletes know they have the full support and encouragement of a loyal fan base behind them.

Looking back often unveils an athlete’s limit – it sheds light on their hidden Achilles heel – and it would be a shame to think that by the time the 2016 Paralympic Games rolls around in just over two and a half years, a pang of regret might ripple through us all for not investing in the athletes who need our support more than most.

With only a few weeks left of 2013, there’s still time for another positive story to make some powerful waves all of its own, and what’s more, the control is in the people’s hands to bring it all about.

Let’s not look back and think with regret on what we should have done. Let’s gain some perspective – let’s get behind this cause and its inspiring stars.