r/nextfuckinglevel • u/uchman365 • 2d ago
Brazilian paralympic swimmer Gabriel Araujo born with short legs and no arms obliterates the field in the 100m backstroke
Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification
7.7k
u/The_Spian 2d ago
Dude is basically a fish.
3.6k
u/SluggishPrey 2d ago
I would have said a sperm, but your answer is more elegant
680
u/jazza2400 2d ago
I'm glad someone else is as sick as me.
→ More replies (7)198
→ More replies (24)19
131
64
u/protomenace 2d ago
He swims more like a cetacean, which makes sense because he has a mammalian skeletal structure.
17
u/Cessnaporsche01 1d ago edited 1d ago
Technically, if fish is a monophyletic group, he IS a fish, as are cetaceans.
*This just made me realize: whether we create a Fish phylum that includes all the descendants, or we go the tree route and decide "fish" is a body plan animals do sometimes, cetaceans always have to be fish. Ha! 200 years of pedants correcting people for calling whales fish, and they were WRONG ALL ALONG!
→ More replies (7)19
11
→ More replies (28)7
u/-ProtosHeis- 2d ago
Im a bit high, but my first thought was that this was a PsyOp from the Underwater Dolphin Kingdom of Finsland not to be confused with Finland, and that this is a literal Dolphin in a man suit, but the dolphins don't quite have human locomotion down yet...
8
4.0k
u/Jazzlike-Control-382 2d ago
Kinda hard to take this seriously when the competitors have wildly different disabilities. This guy has almost no drag, his body is lighter, with the cross section of a missile. How do you compare that to others that have functional arms? There is no way to have any reasonable parity, he might be at an unreasonable advantage or unreasonable disadvantage, I can't even tell.
4.7k
u/uchman365 2d ago
The fact you can't tell if a guy with no arms and short malformed legs has an advantage or not in a sporting event says it all about how incredible these guys are.
I grew up in a developing country, guys like these are all beggars depending on people's charity.
635
u/falloutvaultboy 2d ago
The others should do what he does off the start, dolphin underwater as far as they can. Seemed more like this was two different practices of swimming.
212
u/imwaiter 2d ago
I thought there was a specific amount of time they could be under the water after pushing off, but maybe it's different here.
→ More replies (1)233
u/Viking_Cheef 2d ago
USA swimming rules say you cannot judge a para swimmer for something they donât have but 15m mark rule would still apply since that has no bearing on the swimmers disability.
→ More replies (8)142
u/mythosaz 2d ago
They certainly do.
11.3.3
...It is permissible for the Athlete to be completely submerged during the turn and for a distance of not more than 15 metres after the start and each turn. By that point the Athleteâs head must have broken the surface
→ More replies (3)62
u/Viking_Cheef 2d ago
Thatâs the same rule for every swimmer.
143
u/No_View247 1d ago
not if they don't have a head
→ More replies (2)7
u/Synaps4 1d ago
This is so broken! Headless swimmers are going to dominate the sport just because the rules don't apply to them! Its so unfair!!! /s
→ More replies (2)44
u/CustomaryTurtle 2d ago
Seems like most other competitors are arm only swimmers.
You kinda need your lower body to do the dolphin.
→ More replies (4)20
u/superduperpuft 1d ago
I think that's the standard "meta" of swimming, but most of the other competitors physically can't do that, if you listen to the commentator I think she says that the Brazilian swimmer has a big advantage because of the underwater dolphin but is slower swimming at the surface
→ More replies (1)100
u/TwatWaffleInParadise 1d ago
It's incredible how fast he can swim, but that is by no means a backstroke in any way other than that he is facing upwards. He is kicking his legs in unison and basically swimming like an upside down dolphin. Given how efficient that type of kick is, I'm not surprised he owns the competition.
His disadvantage in normal life has become a marked advantage in this specific competition.
→ More replies (6)47
u/OneFootTitan 1d ago
But itâs not like heâs given a special allowance to do this because of his disability. Every Olympian is allowed to do what he does in backstroke â the only rule is they have to be on their back and they have to break the surface of the water except for the first 15m and after each turn
→ More replies (2)14
u/SIGNW 1d ago
I mean, what you said is completely true, but you're omitting that other competitors don't have legs...you know, to dolphin kick
20
u/OneFootTitan 1d ago
I wasnât comparing him to the other Paralympians, Iâm saying this is entirely a legal way to swim backstroke even in the regular summer Olympics, and taking issue with the idea that this is âno means a backstrokeâ
→ More replies (3)95
u/Free-Atmosphere6714 2d ago
I can tell. He has a huge advantage. Dude is shaped like a seal.
→ More replies (17)30
71
u/sciencebased 1d ago
Stop it đ. Nobody is refuting his disability, good grief. And OP actually did specify three distinct advantages- it's the lack of parity that makes it difficult to compare said advantages vs. other combinations of them (or lack thereof). All these competitors are incredible! But let's be real, that has waaaaay more to do with what they're able to athletically achieve in spite of their own individual challenges than how they perform in comparison to the other disabled swimmers in the pool. Nobody is minimizing their greatness by thinking basic facts aloud.
→ More replies (2)→ More replies (42)13
u/BustedBayou 1d ago
Well, he means if it's an advantage or disadvantage during competition. Of course he knows that is a disadvantage for everyday life and for the training too, and everything in between.
347
u/NYVines 2d ago
Heâs on his back but that motion is not a backstroke. Good for him, but theyâre not competing in the same sport.
252
u/A_reddit_bro 2d ago
Bro is literally using his back to stroke, what else do you want from a dude with no arms bro.
→ More replies (4)74
110
u/rgumai 2d ago edited 2d ago
The only requirements for backstroke are that your head is above water by 15 meters and you're on your back.  Â
In terms of Arm and leg movements (officially): Swimmers can move their arms and legs in any pattern, or not use them at all. Â
Butterfly kicks are faster than flutter kicks for speed but the movement doesn't work well with alternating arm strokes so you usually only see it in the first 15 meters.
→ More replies (13)22
u/alexmikli 1d ago
Exactly. If you google "how to do a backstroke" it'll tell you to move your arms in such n' such manner, but that's not what a backstroke is, it's how you, an able-bodied person with four limbs would accomplish swimming with your back facing the water. He has to accomplish the same thing in a different way, but it's still a backstroke.
77
u/yourmomscheese 2d ago
Came here to say the same thing. Iâm sure the paraolympics have significantly modified rules for this instance, but definitely a different stroke than backstrokes flutter kicks. If he were using flutter kicks he wouldnât go anywhere due to his underdeveloped legs. That said in backstroke you can use a fly kick while underwater. Iâm not sure about the legality of above water since so one would use that who has fully functioning arms. If his opponents followed suit it might have been a different race
→ More replies (13)150
u/Viking_Cheef 2d ago
Perfectly legal. Backstroke is freestyle on your back. Anything goes.
18
u/Useful-ldiot 1d ago
I was WAY too old before I realized freestyle meant you could do whatever you wanted and everyone does the front crawl because it's fastest
→ More replies (2)→ More replies (6)16
→ More replies (8)7
u/CragMcBeard 2d ago
To your point this would be an unfair advantage, but we are all just supporting their training and drive and I donât think anyone is really going to throw a super detailed rulebook into something that is essentially an outreach program for the Olympics.
→ More replies (3)12
310
u/foomy45 2d ago
How exactly are you expecting the Paralympics to function? Only people with perfectly identical disabilities can compete with each other? I don't think you get what they are going for here.
160
→ More replies (4)4
u/FerdiadTheRabbit 2d ago
Well yes that's what I assumed tbh, kinda stupid thinking of it now
24
u/DavidPuddy666 1d ago
There are 10 different categories for physical disabilities in swimming, S1 to S10 from least to most able. They pair you with others with a similar level of impairment but that doesnât necessarily mean everyone has the same disability.
→ More replies (4)220
u/nzerinto 2d ago
All paralympic athletes are given classifications based on their impairments, and that determines which "group" they are placed in, so that it's more fair. Full detail here.
→ More replies (2)43
u/desertrumpet 1d ago
it's ridiculous that so few people are talking about this here.
→ More replies (6)99
u/kmdarger 2d ago
oh my god lolÂ
85
→ More replies (2)18
u/kmdarger 2d ago
you canât take it seriously because itâs different than other sports youâre used to seeing. what if itâs not about parity, or even specifically defies an idea of parity?Â
14
u/nabiku 2d ago
Cool, tell that to the other paralympians. "It's not a serious competition, it's just about you guys having fun!"
8
u/Thommywidmer 1d ago
Everyone acts like the mission of the para games is so obvious, but it is a thinker. I feel like allot of the comments on this post are posturing like they are enlightened and care, while coming off as treating the competitors like children
86
u/liquidpig 2d ago
Thereâs a whole system of classifying and grouping the disabilities to have similar competitors face each other.
73
u/tours3234578 2d ago
Imagine thinking someone with practically no legs and no arms has an advantage in a backstroke. Fucking unbelievable comment.
19
→ More replies (3)19
u/gnatzors 1d ago edited 1d ago
Yeah this swimmer has trained their entire fucking CORE for endurance eccentric/concentric movements, and the poster above you is saying that's an advantage. Baffling
→ More replies (3)64
u/NotARealTiger 2d ago
This guy has almost no drag, his body is lighter, with the cross section of a missile.
Lol I do not think you are a swimmer. He still has a head and shoulders, that's the widest part of the male body so the cross section is not very different. Sure maybe lighter but he lost mostly useful muscle mass and kept all the dead weight organs so it seems like an awful trade-off.
This is straight up fucking incredible. Sure the rest of the field looks slow and apparently doesn't do the under water bit but his performance stands on its own.
57
44
30
u/Purpledragon84 2d ago
Initially i felt the same, but if we compare the disabilities in their body functions for paralympics to the financial capabilities of countries in olympics and we can make similar statements too.
Kinda hard to take olympics seriously when the competitors have wildly different financial backings. This guy has almost no debt to worry about, his country has all the proper equipment and facilities, with enough financial support for all their athletes throughout their competitive life. How do you compare that to others that have no support and gym facilities to train in? There is no way to have any reasonable parity, he might be at an unreasonable advantage or unreasonable disadvantage, I can't even tell.
Of course the physical advantage/disadvantage is apparent. But sometimes there are so many factors at play in other aspects too.
To be clear, I'm not disagreeing with you. I'm agreeing with you and then some.
→ More replies (1)30
u/benewavvsupreme 2d ago
There isn't a single sport with even playing fields just what you are born with and can build upon. That's the whole thing
→ More replies (7)29
u/OnceMoreAndAgain 2d ago
If your first thought upon watching a Paralympic event is to question the integrity of the fairness of the event, then your mind is in totally the wrong place.
The Paralympics are about people overcoming expectations, because when you have these types of disabilities then there might be a bit of a fire in you to fuck the doubters.
→ More replies (2)29
u/KianOfPersia 2d ago
Imagine saying this when people like Michael Phelps exist where he has freakish body proportions and genes that let him break down lactic acid in half the time to, shocker! Give him a distinct advantage.
→ More replies (2)27
u/_Permanent_Marker_ 2d ago
I think it would have been better had you posted this as a question as opposed to an opinion
20
18
u/tadokishi 2d ago
My brother in christ if Phelps is able to compete in the olympics why wouldn't this guy be able to compete in one of the circumstances where his birth might help him?
But no, keep complaining on how the dude born with short legs and no arms has an unfair advantage.17
u/beatboxrevival 2d ago
To be honest, it's not too much different than the other olympics. There is no such thing as equal footing from a social, economical, biological, financial perspective. It's really the olympics of various advantages.
14
12
u/NoMoreSmoress 2d ago
Spoken like somebody who never took the time to pay attention to the Paralympics
16
u/WellYaNoShit 2d ago
Typical Reddit comment, you probably run out of breath getting out of bed in the morning and could never come close to this athletic feat, so you have to find a way to minimize it to make yourself feel better.
→ More replies (3)7
u/CellarDoorForSure 2d ago
I guarantee your pathetic ass looks like the model for the neckbeard meme lmao
9
10
u/Azrael_ 2d ago
You are completely missing the point of paralympic games if you only think of it as a competition. It's a celebration of us as a species.
→ More replies (3)→ More replies (126)7
u/vitringur 2d ago
Just like any other sport in the normal olympics.
People have different body types that are better suited for different sports.
This is the best of the best of the disabled ones.
It's not like you make the same demand of comparing tall and short people in basketball.
2.3k
u/uchman365 2d ago
All these comments about him being lighter and having advantage with his tiny legs also think that Phelps at 6Â ft 4Â in and 200Â lb with huge feet is at a disadvantage. Jokers.
These guys are performing extraordinary feats but people are more interested in nitpicking without even looking at Paralympics categories and subcategories to understand how the grouping works.
569
u/Rich-Concentrate9805 2d ago
Thatâs Reddit. Anytime something inspirational or cool is posted out come the comments to try and bring it down.
Being highly critical is lazy, not intelligent.
67
→ More replies (9)16
u/Successful-Peach-764 2d ago
Akshually.....
it is a terrible affliction, maybe they need guides to control their akshually.
81
21
u/SlasherNL 2d ago
Dude no need to feel threatened, people were genuinely asking. It's not like this happens on the regular, we were wondering what are the rules of the event.
No need to bash the uninformed.
→ More replies (2)89
u/fishred 2d ago
uninformed and asking is one thing, but there are also plenty of posts that are uninformed and simply spouting off that what he is doing is somehow illegal or unfair.
→ More replies (8)19
u/DarthMaulOnCoughMeds 1d ago
https://www.biography.com/athletes/michael-phelp-perfect-body-swimming#
Michael Phelps body is actually so odd that itâs perfect for swimming. Same thing here.
→ More replies (5)5
u/TacoIncoming 1d ago edited 1d ago
Yeah, former D-II swimmer. This guy has an advantage in this field. He's basically just dolphin kicking. Same as the armless Chinese dude in the 100 free last week. Dolphin/fly kicking underwater is objectively the fastest and most efficient way for humans to swim. So much so that there are rules in swimming for fully able athletes that say you have to surface and start taking strokes after a certain distance. I swam with a guy who could literally break national records in different events if he was allowed to stay underwater and kick the whole time. I watched him do it in practice a couple of times. Not to diminish anything about what any of these athletes are doing, but when his competition is literally all arms in some cases, he's going to have an advantage over the field. It is what it is.
It also brings to mind a terrible joke I heard in elementary school about a woman with no arms or legs, but I won't go there. Iykyk
→ More replies (41)6
u/AspiringAdonis 1d ago
What theyâre doing is absolutely incredible and should be celebrated. That said, you canât deny there is an argument to be made for fairness, solely due to the fact that the types of disabilities vary between competitors, sometimes significantly.
This is obviously considered during selection, the actual competition, and judging, since the Paralympics have been around for a bit, but getting bent out of shape for people point that out is a little ridiculous.
→ More replies (2)19
u/OperationDadsBelt 1d ago
No, itâs not ridiculous. Because people always fucking undermine the achievements of disabled athletes. Like all the fucking time, every single time stuff like this gets posted. And these questions never get asked out of curiosity, it is almost always to nitpick and undermine as you can see by many top comments.
Does anybody bitch and moan about Michael Phelps basically having a body made for swimming? Nope. What about Kareem Abdul Jabar? Nope. What about Usain Bolt? Uh uh.
9
u/Giraffe-colour 1d ago
Iâve actually been shocked by how many people seem to downplay these achievements made my Paralympians. The whole point of the para olympics itâs so show that even with disabilities and disadvantages, people can still perform amazing feats.
I doubt any of the other competitors though this guy had an unfair advantage. They are all there to show that they can still compete and do these incredibly hard things even with their circumstances.
Letâs just congratulate the guy for winning because if the other athletes had an issue Iâm sure they would have already raise their concerns by now
798
u/supercleverhandle476 2d ago
Me: watching with my wife, thinking âMy god, his whole body is like a giant flipper! Better not say that out loud though, Iâm gonna sound like an asshole.â
Announcer: âhe really uses his whole body like a giant flipper.â
Me: âI truly donât know how to act anymore.â
→ More replies (2)174
u/infinitemonkeytyping 1d ago
I was watching the athletics the other night, and the current world champion in the 400m (I can't remember which category, but I think maybe T37) finished 3rd in his heat, and only just qualified for the final.
The commentator was talking after the race about how disappointed the world champion would be in his race today, and how he'll need to improve for the final.
Over the last couple of Paralympics, there has been a noticeable shift from "all positive" commentary to "treat it like every other sport, including criticism" commentary.
75
u/MicroUzi 1d ago
I appreciate that. Demeaning to treat disabled people like theyâre different from any others.
34
u/infinitemonkeytyping 1d ago
I've also noticed the same in women's sports (in Australia - cricket, rugby league, rugby union and Aussie rules) as well - the shift to being critical of good players playing badly/in a form slump (i.e. the same as men's sports).
26
u/LogicPuzzleFail 1d ago
As a Canadian, I enjoy hockey - but with the PWHL (not the first womens' professional league, but definitely the most firmly established) on youtube all last year, the commentary definitely shifted from 'inspiration' to 'that's a play they'll want back' and, very hockey related, "dirty hit, some pushing and shoving going on". I liked the second half of the season better.
6
u/vaska00762 1d ago
The thing that the IPC wants to push a lot harder is that this is the highest level of elite disability sports.
These are still elite athletes, some of whom actually do their sports professionally, full time, thanks to legit public funding, or through sponsorships.
The biggest difference between the Paralympics and the Special Olympics, which is the event often most directly compared against, is that the Special Olympics is certainly about giving people an opportunity to compete, which wouldn't ordinarily be available. While the Paralympics is very much the place where if you're not good enough, you're not qualifying. Think of the archery, for example. Athletes using Compound and Recurve bows are consistently hitting 10s and 9s in their competition - some athletes have to use adaptations to aim and release the arrow.
Someone struggling to hit 8s and 7s is not going to qualify, because the Paralympics isn't about giving everyone a go, it's about being the stage for the best athletes in the world who happen to have a disability of some kind.
466
u/MeanAstronomer7583 2d ago
0 back strokes were given that day
69
21
→ More replies (5)15
u/OperationDadsBelt 1d ago
Love all these non swimmers like you making these judgement calls when you clearly donât fucking know what youâre talking about. There are no rules preventing athletes from doing any manner of kick or arm movement during the backstroke. All thatâs required is that, you guessed it, youâre on your back. Back stroke is essentially freestyle on your back. Thatâs it.
→ More replies (2)
317
u/uchman365 2d ago
I wish people will look up how these Paralympians are grouped.
Araujo is in disability class S2/SM2 - swimmers in this class have limited use of their arms, and no or extremely limited use of their hands, legs and trunk and a variety of different disabilities including cerebral palsy and amputations.
So, he's competing against others with the same type of disabilities
69
u/nighoblivion 2d ago
As you seem to be fairly read-in on the rules: are everyone allowed to dolphin kick the whole race in that class?
62
44
u/Ivehadbetter13 1d ago
Every swimmer can dolphin kick the whole race. You can only dolphin kick underwater for a certain distance. For most swimmers, it just isnât faster than the regular stroke when you are on the surface.
→ More replies (2)27
u/toasterb 2d ago
Olympic swimmers could do so too. It's just that when you're fully able-bodied, it's not as efficient of a stroke.
The only stipulations of backstroke is that you're on your back and some part of your body is above water after the 15m mark after the turn.
→ More replies (8)→ More replies (7)27
u/Kardiiac_ 2d ago edited 1d ago
I get that he's grouped with similar disabilities however he's also the only one swimming in that particular style compared to everyone else. Were the other swimmers given that option and chose not to or are unable to?
→ More replies (2)53
u/HugeOpossum 2d ago edited 2d ago
They're able to, just one part of their body must break the surface and they must remain on their back.
It could be they're choosing not to, in order to compete as closely to the actual stroke as possible to prove a point to themselves. This swimmer doesn't have that option at all. I suspect if he'd flutter kick, he'd actually just sink.
Edit: after rewatching the clip a few times, you can actually see one or two other swimmers dolphin kicking (and butterfly kick for one person) during their strokes. I suspect that it's common, he's just really fast.
102
u/TSAOutreachTeam 2d ago
Sorry, Gabe, the rules state that you may only take one butterfly kick per length.
67
u/mythosaz 2d ago
Here's the Paralympics Swimming rules.
11.3.3
...It is permissible for the Athlete to be completely submerged during the turn and for a distance of not more than 15 metres after the start and each turn. By that point the Athleteâs head must have broken the surface
Emphasis mine.
→ More replies (1)16
u/ProfessorPetulant 1d ago
Same as valid rules afaik. The issue is butterfly/dolphin kick, which uses the whole body, and is much more efficient than feet kicking.
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (2)11
u/penguin-spice 2d ago
My first thought as well. Iâm going to assume they have different rules on that though. If he can butterfly kick he should be able to flutter kick.
19
u/Sriol 2d ago
Must be different. I just wonder why the other swimmers weren't also dolphin kicking the whole way too, if it's legal.
22
u/navetzz 2d ago
Mostly because they physically can't. Given that they are in the same category as a man without basically no limbs, they have major mobility handicaps.
Each and every swimmer in this category has its own technique that they designed to go as fast as they can given their disability.
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (1)16
103
u/Goku-Naruto-Luffy 2d ago
Bro has no arms. Still a better swimmer than me. What a legend
→ More replies (5)
76
u/BigBanggBaby 2d ago
Which part of what he's doing is considered the 'stroke'? Can swimmers with arms choose to swim backwards without moving their arms if they were able to go faster?
109
u/uchman365 2d ago
This is Paralympics, so allowances are made for disabilities. Also, all the swimmers with arms also use their legs, so really should be at an advantage
→ More replies (3)72
u/Sriol 2d ago edited 1d ago
It's well known that the fastest stroke is dolphin kick* (see edit). That's why it's banned in freestyle and you can only do it for a few kicks underwater before needing to resume an allowed stroke.
Not trying to take anything away from how flipping impressive it is for him to be that ridiculously fast, but he was dolphin kicking the whole thing, which is just faster than backstroke. I just wonder what the other swimmers could do if they also dolphin kicked like he did**.
Edit: not entirely true. Someone corrected me that underwater dolphin kick is really fast and banned (by the 15m rule), but at the surface it isn't so fast and is fine to use. *Also it's been pointed out that other swimmers very likely have not got the leg strength/capability to reproduce this stroke, hence their not doing it. Thanks to all who gave me helpful clarifications!
→ More replies (16)32
u/uchman365 2d ago
Araujo is in disability class S2/SM2 - swimmers in this class have limited use of their arms, and no or extremely limited use of their hands, legs and trunk and a variety of different disabilities including cerebral palsy and amputations.
So, he's competing against others with the same type of disabilities
53
u/lifetake 2d ago
Yes we all understand that. The question wasnât about his disability classification, but the rules of the event
→ More replies (2)35
u/HeLaGOAT 1d ago
You're making their point though. The other contestants have limited or no use of their arms and hands, so (at the risk of sounding insensitive) flopping around with dead weight and extra drag. Meanwhile this athlete is using the OP kicking technique.
I don't mean to belittle his accomplishments, learning to swim with his disabilities, let alone swimming this fast, is incredibly impressive. He swims way faster than me and I have two functioning arms and legs. But I have a hard time seeing this as an even competition.
→ More replies (2)10
u/Internal-Record-6159 1d ago
Thank you for pasting the exact same comment multiple times as if it's a one size fits all answer. Really, your repeated comments should be removed.
You are acting like an employee for the paralympics with a canned fairly corporate response that doesn't even address the comment you replied to. It helps nothing, and honestly makes the whole concern about butterfly kicking look even worse
→ More replies (2)→ More replies (2)23
u/toasterb 2d ago
Yes they could. Backstroke isn't as restricted as butterfly and breaststroke.
Check out the stroke descriptions starting on page 22 here: USA Swimming Rulebook
An able-bodied swimmer could swim like him if they wanted, but it probably wouldn't be as efficient as the established backstroke, so they'd lose.
73
u/Younk187 2d ago
I'm going to hell
27
→ More replies (3)4
u/deathholdme 2d ago
At least you donât have to worry about it being wheelchair accessible⌠aaaand Iâll see you when you get there.
53
44
u/DestinedJoe 2d ago
What an amazing performance.
I looked it up- this guy swam 100m in 1:53.67 and finished about ~6 sec ahead of his closest competitor.
For reference, the Olympic gold medalist in this event did it in 52.00 sec.
→ More replies (1)14
u/infinitemonkeytyping 1d ago
Which is not surprising, since he is an S2 swimmer.
For note - outside of separate blind categories - all para swimmers are separated into 10 categories (S1 - S10). S1 are the most disadvantaged, while S10 only have small disadvantages compared to able bodied swimmers.
→ More replies (3)
42
u/kmdarger 2d ago
unsurprisingly so many appalling and disappointing comments here, people like threatened by the idea that weâre celebrating this personâs accomplishment
→ More replies (2)
41
31
20
u/Lindo_MG 2d ago
Canât tell me paralympics arenât any as impressive as the traditional Olympics, without a doubt more inspiring
→ More replies (3)
20
17
u/MiksBricks 2d ago
Drag is a huge factors for speed in swimming and this guy has comparatively little drag.
That and the limbs he does have appear to be very well functioning for kicking.
Awesome.
14
u/Padgetts-Profile 2d ago
Itâs a shame that it doesnât show his time. His 50m time is still better than anything Iâve ever done in freestyle, but Iâve never been a competitive swimmer.
→ More replies (1)5
u/Icy_Professional3564 1d ago
We watched some of the swimming events and they are really great athletes. The blind soccer is even more incredible, I saw a guy turn and absolutely rip it top corner. It's just amazing.
→ More replies (5)
13
11
u/TNpepe 2d ago
Some of you really need to learn how to be happy for people. Just enjoy the sport and be happy for the winner, being there is already a big achievement for all there.
→ More replies (6)
10
u/No-Development-8148 2d ago edited 2d ago
This is absolutely amazing and is exactly what makes the ParaOlympics so impressive to watch! This event truly demonstrates the human spirit and our ability to overcome and still be EXCEPTIONALLY proficient.
No doubt would still be in the top 0.1% of all humans when it comes to a backstroke race
8
7
5
4
u/GTAdvocate187 2d ago
I mean this with the utmost respect but how does one born in that condition find himself to be an amazing swimmer? Youâd think he would stay away from water.
→ More replies (4)7
u/TightBeing9 1d ago
He was probably inspired by athletes who came before him! That's why Paralympics is so important and why I'm disgusted by so many comments here ( not yours). Imagine how important this is for someone with a similar condition to see how far they can come in life
4
u/Ok-Opening7004 1d ago
Just about everyone in these comments suck lol donât you think the Paralympic committee has worked out (to at least some degree) rules, regulations and groupings to produce fair outcomes? Let the man have his moment, be inspired and take solace in the fact that the athletes competing and those on the organizing committee know more than you do after watching one highlight from the games.
Or, dont, I guess and continue to be the âwell, ackshuallyâ Reddit stereotype, idc.
→ More replies (1)
11.0k
u/swayze13 2d ago
Incredible!
Legitimate question though: how does he get out?