Paris Paralympics | Wheelchair tennis has the same charm_China_News Channel_Yunnan Net

Original title: Paris Paralympics | Wheelchair tennis has the same charm

The wheelchair tennis competition of the Paris Paralympic Games officially started on the 30th at the French Open venue Roland Garros. Although the first day’s competition was all first-round competitions and heavy rain caused most of the competitions to be suspended, this still did not affect the enthusiasm of the audience.

The match started at 12 noon and by 2 pm, the huge stadium was packed with people, and even walking was difficult. Organizers began to guide the crowd from the subway station one kilometer away, and volunteers were everywhere around the stadium to guide the audience. While eating and drinking, the fans looked for the venue of their favorite players. The famous French Open stadium has changed from the tense and exciting competition atmosphere of the past, and it is more like a party place.

There are many places for people to experience disabled sports in the stadium. One of the small wheelchair tennis experience areas attracted many children. A little boy with disabled feet waited for half an hour before it was his turn to play. From his smile, it can be seen that he enjoyed the process very much.

After asking, we learned that the boy’s name is Joseph Leighton, and he is 10 years old. His father said that Joseph’s two calves have been atrophied since birth, which has led to disability, but he likes to play wheelchair tennis and is very optimistic. When asked if he would consider becoming an athlete to participate in the Olympics in the future, little Joseph said without hesitation: “Yes!” Then, he did not even sit in the wheelchair, and hobbled out of the experience area with his two tightly wrapped calves.

According to volunteers, this wheelchair tennis experience area will be open every day in the Roland Garros stadium until the end of the game. Most of the children who come to experience it are not disabled, they just want to feel how difficult it is to play tennis in a wheelchair. This is the essence of sports and the charm of wheelchair tennis.