Paralympians cope with warmer conditions as the IOC considers moving the Games earlier in winter

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Category: Sports

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Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. Paralympics / ˌpær əˈlɪm pɪks / (n.) – a major international sports event for athletes with physical disabilities
    Example:

    The Paralympics showcase incredible athletes who compete at the highest level despite physical challenges.


     


  2. lament / ləˈmɛnt / (v.) – to express deep sadness, regret, or disappointment about something
    Example:

    Many people lamented the closing of the old cinema.


     


  3. slush / slʌʃ / (n.) – wet, soft snow that is partly melted
    Example:

    Cars drove slowly because of the slush on the road.


     


  4. variable / ˈvɛər i ə bəl / (adj.) – relating to something that changes often or does not stay the same
    Example:

    Travel time can be variable because of traffic.


     


  5. meteorologist / ˌmi ti əˈrɒl ə dʒɪst / (n.) – a scientist who studies the weather and the atmosphere
    Example:

    The meteorologist explained the reason behind the extreme heat on the evening news.


     


Article

Read the text below.

At the Milan Cortina Paralympics, some athletes competed in shorts, T-shirts, and tank tops. One skier lamented “tropical” conditions, and a snowboarder complained that soft, slow snow put him at a disadvantage. And some worried about their safety.


The warm weather at the Paralympics, which ran from March 6 to 15, had some athletes asking: Should these Games be held earlier in the year when cold weather is more reliable?


“The Paralympics, it’s the most physically demanding event for Para athletes. It’s the thing we all train for,” said American Para snowboarder Zach Miller. “It’s where we’re all putting it out on the line. And when we’re dealing with these spring snow conditions and this slush, it makes it even more difficult, even more demanding.”


And the problem isn’t just that it’s uncomfortable—warm snow actually changes how courses behave. Soft or slushy snow can create friction that hinders speed and control. Experts say control is essential for Para athletes.


“One of our Olympic athletes skiing on variable conditions, it’s gonna be riskier, certainly,” said Dr. Sarah Eby, head team physician for the U.S. Para Alpine Ski Team. “But they’ve got two knees. They’ve got all of their muscles working right when they need them to work. Thinking about our Para athletes, maybe they only have one leg. They’re relying more on equipment that they can’t adjust.”


Miller, the snowboarder, said warming conditions lead athletes to try to “minimize mistakes and ride conservative, because everything you’re going to do is going to be punished out there on the snow.” He added, “You’re worried about your own safety on course. You don’t feel like you can be the athlete that you know you are.”


The early March warmth in northern Italy, where the Games were held, would be “almost impossible” without the influence of climate change, said Shel Winkley, a Climate Central meteorologist. Researchers say the places that can reliably host a Winter Games will shrink because of climate change.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


 


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • At the Paralympics, warm weather and soft snow affected athletes’ speed and control. How much do you think weather conditions influence the fairness of sports competitions? Do you think it is fair for athletes to compete in weather conditions that are not ideal for their sport? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Para athletes face a greater risk on soft snow because they rely on specialized equipment. Should safety always be the top priority in high-level competitions, even if it slows performance? Why do you say so? What do you think sports organizers should do to help Para athletes facing these risks (ex. set the date of the Games on colder days or months)? Discuss.

 

Discussion B

  • Athletes had to “ride conservative” because warm snow punished mistakes. How do you adapt when conditions are different from what you expected? Do you think limitations can sometimes make people more creative in problem-solving? Why do you say so? Discuss.
  • Researchers say reliable locations for Winter Olympic Games will shrink due to climate change. Do you think there will still be regions on Earth that will be able to hold winter games in the future? Why or why not? Discuss.