Learn English with Teacher Joe

Sunday was the Mid-Autumn Festival in China. I saw no full moon because it was raining in the evening, and I did not eat any traditional “moon cakes” either. I did, however, get to see various athletic events of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games at the Bird’s Nest. I saw several gold medal races including both wheelchair racing and among athletes with artificial legs. It was both impressive and inspirational to see these athletes overcome their disabilities in such a dramatic way. The one-legged sprinters, in spite of having an artificial leg, can run almost as fast as the best athletes of the main Olympic Games, and they can run MUCH faster then I can! Now, if they can be so dedicated and so strong in the face of adversity, they anyone can be.

 Check out the Paralympics (click here) and also watch some videos (do a search on You Tube) to see what I mean. I found the wheelchair basketball, floor volleyball and football for the seeing-impaired, which I watched on TV, to be especially entertaining. Check out your own country’s athletes and give them your support!