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Originally posted by Shaun
Quote:
Originally posted by Lauren
Quote:
Originally posted by Shaun
This goes to show the standard of the Olympics really, if (probably) the best Paralympian only managed 16th in an Olympic event.
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Well thats obviously because Natalie has a natural HUGE disadvantage compared to the Olympians. She still puts in as much determination and effort - which is what sports personality of the year is about.
The very fact someone disabled made it 16th in the Olympics is a huge effort.
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Grr, you make a good argument 
I don't know the full extent of her disability, but basically she has a prosthetic leg, yes? It doesn't seem to have affected her too much =\
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Once you lose a leg you have to learn how to move it whilst missing hundreds of thousands of nerves you once had. In theory, it's like learning to move again, and make sure your brain sends messages to the leg to move.
Also, especially in swimming, the prosthetic leg has significantly less power because you only control the thigh bit, so you have to use more energy on the boost.
I'm not saying Paralympians deserve anything more than able bodied Olympians. That's unfair. I just don't think they should be ignored completely just because something natural holds them back from being "world class", when they still put as much effort and determination in.
Edit: Oh also, with a prosthetic leg you also get "phantom pains" which is excruciating cramps and pains in the nerves of where the amputation took place. To say that it hasn't affected her that much lays testament to why I think she's a great athlete.