Unlock with PatreonAbout This Episode
On this episode of Playing with Science, hosts Gary O’Reilly and Chuck Nice are preparing for the 2018 Winter Paralympics. If you’ve never really paid attention to the Paralympics, no worries, because Gary, Chuck, and their guests tell you everything you need to know to pique your interest before the games kick off on March 9th. Explore what it’s like to be a Paralympian with Team USA medalists Mike Shea, a snowboarder, and Taylor Lipsett, a sledge hockey player. Mike and Taylor tell us how they both got started in their respective sports, how they prepare and train at the highest level, and what it takes to be a strong competitor. Find out why waxing snowboards before runs is so important and discover the hardest part of playing sledge hockey. You’ll also hear from Dr. Walter Thompson, co-author of Training and Coaching the Paralympic Athlete about the criteria used to classify athletes for the Paralympic games. Walter sheds light on the unbalanced distribution of technology between developed and un-developed nations, and how he’s working to make the games as fair as possible. Although the Olympics take up most of the spotlight every 4 years, if you love fierce competition and extraordinary performances, you’ll be missing out if you skip the Paralympics!
NOTE: All-Access subscribers can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: Winter Paralympics, with Medalists Mike Shea and Taylor Lipsett.
Become a Patron