Just imagine hurtling down a slope which you can barely see, with only a guide to rely on.
Back in 1956, disabled people would never have attempted to compete in sports. They were hidden away from sight.
I was there in Melbourne at the time. I walked the city street as a tall, well-endowed 15 year-old, straining to catch sight of athletes from around the world. That was one of the most exciting times of my life. And the athletes were all too happy to chat to an excited teenager in the quiet of the city's Sunday morning. Back then, shops closed for Sunday, so the city was like a ghost town. I remember the torch-lighting ceremony and my idol Ron Clarke lighting the beacon. Admittance was too expensive for my family so we viewed the spectacle on television. Not in the comfort of our own home. Back then, few people owned a set. We stood on the street outside the closest electrical store, mouths open.
Athletes over the centuries have chosen to train their bodies to achieve the highest standards. Competition drives them to push beyond the limit. Able-bodied or not, we are all people. We should let nothing stand in the way of achieving our goal.