ILLUMINATING IMPACT- Paralympics: the themes behind the performances

So as a final flourish to our Olympics and Paralympics Illuminating IMPACT series, we take a whirlwind tour of the Paralympics to highlight the themes behind the performances – showcasing the not so obvious impact of the coaches, support networks, culture and environment which may contribute to the amazing results we have witnessed.

A neat place to start is the IMPACT of a clear vision and aligned values. It is no surprise to learn there is a clear message behind the 3 coloured ‘waves’ that make up the Paralympic logo. These waves or ‘Agitos’ (translating to ‘I move’ in latin) are shaded green, blue and red to show the global reach of the paralympics by representing the main colours of national flags around the world. The Agitos themselves denote the paralympic values of courage, determination, inspiration and equality and are swirling around a central point to symbolise movement – visually representing the paralympic motto – “spirit in motion”.

This clear vision and supporting values ran through the games and formed the foundation to the athletic performances as well as the opening and closing ceremonies where the IMPACT of learning and insight also came to the fore.

Thomas Jolly, Director of Olympic and Paralympic ceremonies wanted the ceremonies to be festive and yet, aligning with the vison and values, make an important statement by highlighting inequality athletes are facing in their daily lives enlisting the help of renowned choreographer Alexander Ekman to fulfil this mission.

For nearly 2 years Ekman embarked on a learning journey, spending time with para-athletes to gain vital and important insights whilst developing the choreography inspired by their sporting endeavours and, as per the mission, to use the performance to drive across the message of creating a more inclusive society. The show was specifically designed to transcend the human body and, by involving 150 dancers, including many professional dancers with disabilities, allowed them to show-case quite starkly this message of possibility – a vibrant symbol of the paralympic vision of “Spirit in Motion”!

Onto the sporting performances and the IMPACT of close communication and collaboration between athletes and their guides. The guides could be seen physically accompanying competitors in athletic and cycling events – verbally commentating on races real-time as well as encouraging them. In jumping events, guides could be seen clapping to help direct their partner, and in swimming, ‘tappers’ could be seen sporting a long rod to ‘tap’ their swimmers during the race to help identify the edge of the pool.

In Blind Football, supporting guides tapped out the shape of the goal enabling the players to form a picture of their target during penalties and free kicks – all the more important to the French men’s team who won their medal match on penalties against Argentina.

The relationship between the guide and athlete is an important element of the success of the partnership as Brazilian silver medallist sprinter and long jumper Thalita Vitoria Simplicio Da Silva explained “We’ve been building the relationship for 11 years” with guide Felipe Veloso continuing “What makes us strong is that we can count on each other in any situation”.

Continuing the theme into Boccia where assistants help their partners, who compete with severe motor impairments, to roll or throw a ball closest to the jack.  Gold medal winning athlete Aurelie Aubert spoke of the support network behind her performance “I’ve done a lot of mental preparation as well as tactical. I don’t know if people realise but just for mental work I have a mental coach, a sophrologist, a psychologist and a hypnotherapist. It just proves that everything works together.

She went on to highlight one specific person during an emotional interview with French TV “I want to thank them all but especially my “swiss army knife” Claudine Llop – I call her that because she does everything, she is my care assistant, my coach, my therapist and we work so closely together that we are one”.

Similarly, Jason Guillot is described as coach, guide, friend, moral support and indispensable partner to multi paralympic medallist and Paris bronze medallist Judoka Cyril Jonard. Cyril, who is deaf and blind, communicates with Jason through hand signing – ‘talking’ to each other through the power of touch and a quote from a recent interview symbolically described their journey – ‘hand-in hand they train…and win”!

Spare a thought for Spanish marathon runner Elena Congost who was denied a bronze medal in the T12 marathon category. After running for over 3 hours and only a few metres from the line, Elena broke the tether with her stricken guide Mia Carol Bruguera, who was clearly suffering cramps, to help him cross the line with her.

The positive IMPACT of the crowd is well known in sports in helping to add a supportive environment in which the athletes can perform – encouraging their team or home athlete onward to victory. However, during blind football matches, the crowd had to remain silent during play as the ball is fitted with bells to allow the players to follow play. The silence became deafening during the now famous penalty shoot-out, where the French men’s team won the gold medal – the cheers at the final whistle certainly made up for the expectant silence during the game.

Still on the theme of support, a story emerged of US para-athlete Hunter Woodhall who won gold in 400m T62 event whilst his wife Tara Davis-Woodall could be seen wildly celebrating in the crowds. Rewind less than 4 weeks and the roles were reversed when Tara was competing in the Olympic Long Jump event and similarly won gold with Husband Hunter cheering and supporting from the stands.

And so, to the final ceremony where French electronic music legend Jean-Michel Jarre took to the stage – keeping calm and carrying on in the pouring rain – was this the IMPACT of agility and responding to changing environment in full view?

As the paralympic flame was extinguished that too signified the closure of our Illuminating IMPACT Olympic and Paralympic special. We hope you have enjoyed the whistle stop tour of the games – with so many amazing stories it has been difficult to keep it short and sweet. Meanwhile Illuminating IMPACT will continue to provide an insight into the themes behind the performances and we are already looking forward to L.A. Olympics and Paralympics 2028!

Questline Global is a performance consultancy that helps individuals, organisations and teams make more progress and create a greater impact through personal and team development coaching and consulting partnerships.  If you would like to find out more about our offers, please visit www.questlineglobal.com or email us at hello@questlineglobal.com.