The Paralympic Games in Rio: Where the (dis)abilities matter

Between 7-18th September, athletes with disabilities from 161 countries will share their 4,350 compelling and inspiring stories of triumph. Leszek Sibilski reflects and shares an inspiring story about Owen and Haatchi.

“I savour life. When you have anything that threatens life... it prods you into stepping back and really appreciating the value of life and taking from it what you can.”

- Sonia Sotomayor

On the evening after the closing ceremony of the XXXI Summer Olympiad in Rio de Janeiro, my mind was still immersed in the scene of several thousand perfectly chiseled bodies. I couldn’t emotionally adjust to the 'normal pace of life' knowing that I would have to patiently wait for almost three weeks for the next thrilling global sporting festival, when the 15th Summer Paralympic Games will begin once again in Rio. To compensate for my anxious state of mind, I decided to watch ESPN to obtain a mini-dose of sport emotions. I got more than I bargained for. As soon as I turned on the TV, I became engrossed by a short but very captivating documentary entitled: Owen and Haatchi. From the get-go the story made a huge impression on me and served as a humbling precursor and transition to my next sporting festival where Paralympians will be competing in 22 sports and 528 events.

Between September 7th and the 18th, 4,350 athletes with disabilities from 161 countries will share 4,350 compelling and inspiring stories of triumph. As they put the Paralympic spirit into motion to achieve sporting excellence, it will be our blessing to reflect not on their disabilities, but on their abilities and on the joy they have to represent their nations in the best possible way. Sport is a fair equalizer for all athletes; it doesn’t matter if you come from an affluent or developing country, every athlete still has to show up, participate, and finish the competition. The medal classification for the last Paralympics in London was not a mirror reflection of the Olympics. Instead, the para-athletes representing the nations of the emerging economies and developing countries could hold their own quite well.

The film I saw on ESPN was about Owen Howkins, who suffers from Schwartz-Jampel syndrome, a rare genetic disorder in which the muscles seize involuntarily. It also introduces viewers to his incredible dog Haatchi, an Anatolian Shepherd, who has a heartbreaking story of his own. At only five months of age, Haatchi was left tied to a railway track. Before he could be rescued, he was hit by a train and had his back leg and tail amputated.

The story of Owen and Haatchi is about unique friendship, survival, and acceptance. The movie reminds us that we are constantly being judged in the arena of everyday life, where the records are not registered and where the medals are not awarded for victory, not to mention trophies for participation. As the famous Italian cyclist, Gino Bartali, once stated: “Good is something you do, not something you talk about. Some medals are pinned to your soul, not on your jacket.”

Some people, like Owen and his dog Haatchi, inspire us to appreciate life just as it is, without cameras and spectators. After all, our lives are judged off camera too. It is a must watch movie ... it will nudge you to reflect and realize the true value of your perfect or imperfect body and taking what you can from it to excel.