Today, my two friends Andrew and Liz, Matt and myself went to watch a Paralympic Sledge Hockey game for the first time! Sledge hockey is a sport that was designed to allow participants who have a physical disability to play the game of ice hockey. Ice sledge hockey was invented in the early 1960s in Stockholm, Sweden at a rehabilitation center. It is currently one of the most popular sports in the Paralympic Games. (wiki)
Two men from Sweden designed the sledge for ice sledge hockey in the 1960s because they wanted to continue to play hockey despite their physical disability. Their design included two skate blades on a metal frame that allowed the puck to pass underneath. They completed the ensemble by including two round poles with bike handles for sticks. Although there are many restrictions to the measurements and weight of the sledges used in the Paralympic Games, little has changed from the original design to the ones that exist today. 
Two men from Sweden designed the sledge for ice sledge hockey in the 1960s because they wanted to continue to play hockey despite their physical disability. Their design included two skate blades on a metal frame that allowed the puck to pass underneath. They completed the ensemble by including two round poles with bike handles for sticks. Although there are many restrictions to the measurements and weight of the sledges used in the Paralympic Games, little has changed from the original design to the ones that exist today. 
In 1981, Great Britain established their first sledge hockey team, and that was shortly followed by Canada in 1982. It was not until 1990 that the United States developed their first ice sledge hockey team and sledge hockey continued to expand when Estonia and Japan developed their teams in 1993. International ice sledge hockey became an official event in 1994 for the beginning of the Paralympic Games in Lillehammer, Norway, with Sweden claiming the first gold medal for ice sledge hockey competition.
We watched the Italy vs. Norway game for the 2010 Vancouver Paralympics!! Since it wasn't Canada, I had to choose a team to cheer for, because it makes it more fun. I chose to support Italy, because I thought they were the underdogs! Sadly, Norway won just before the last period, by one goal. (however, I was glad they didn't go in to overtime, as I was starving for some Brunch!)
Here's a quick video of the game! I definitely recommend you check out a sledge hockey game if you ever get the chance! It was inspiring to see these guys out there, not letting their physical disabilities stopping them from doing something they love! It was very interesting...
We watched the Italy vs. Norway game for the 2010 Vancouver Paralympics!! Since it wasn't Canada, I had to choose a team to cheer for, because it makes it more fun. I chose to support Italy, because I thought they were the underdogs! Sadly, Norway won just before the last period, by one goal. (however, I was glad they didn't go in to overtime, as I was starving for some Brunch!)
Here's a quick video of the game! I definitely recommend you check out a sledge hockey game if you ever get the chance! It was inspiring to see these guys out there, not letting their physical disabilities stopping them from doing something they love! It was very interesting...
No comments:
Post a Comment