This has been a dream of mine since i started to armwrestle. Even 20 years ago i knew that this was not going to happen in my athletic career but i still hoped it to happen during my career. Lately we have heard that disabled armwrestling is accepted by the international paralympic committe.
I do not know about the details of this news but i feel that it will not be limited with official recognition alone but the sport will be in the Paralympic Games as well. I am guessing it to be this way because armwrestling is a perfect physical combat sport for the disabled athletes.
I am not as hopeful about none disabled armwrestling to be part of the Olympic Games yet because IOC has many alternatives to choose between. But i still believe that the sport of armwrestling soon or late will be a part of the Olympic Games.
The recognition of the disabled armwrestling will benefit us indirectly and we will be receiving more support and respect officialy both by public and governments. Also disabled armwrestling being part of the Paralympic Games will involve us with it as we all will start to train more and more disabled athletes because they will be more and more interested as well. By being part of the Paralympic Games we will be involved with all kind of Olympic Sports' represanters as well. So disabled armwrestling to be part of the Paralympic Games is good for the disabled athletes and for the none disabled athletes and trainers.
It will be a bridge for armwrestling to be in the olympics. We all should inform the disabled people who are interested to armwrestle so that we can all together experience the Olympic Level Sport Organisations. This will be a good support for the disabled people and they will represant our great support to prepare the ways for none disabled armwrestling to reach the Olympic dream as well.
I really wish to taste to be a part of the Olympics even as a trainer, no matter disabled or none disabled even though i would wish both. Our dreams coming true, so let us do our best to make them happenning even faster.
Engin Terzi