Paralympics - is this true?

[Loftus]

The 2004 Paraylmpic Games is getting under way in Athens. 4000 athletes from 120 countries are participating. The US team is 250 strong.

In Sydney the US team won 36 gold medals, 39 silver medals and 34 bronze medals.

On the radio today I listened to an interview with an American paralympic sprinter who said there was to be no television coverage of the games in the US - not even a hghlights programme. I know that US television is ratings and advertiser driven but is there really not enough public interest to justify a short round up programme to showcase US successes in the major competition for disabled athletes?

 

[Bob Slydell]

I think that's true, yep. I could swear I've seen highlights of past paralympics but I don't remember where I've seen them?

 

[binny]

sadly, it looks to be true...

http://www.eurosport.com/home/pages/V4/L0/S82/E3012/sport_Lng0_Spo82_Evt3012_Sto636328.shtml


With the IPC and host broadcaster International Sports Broadcasting (ISB) expecting approximately 50 rights holders to cover the Paralympics, nearly 2,300 media representatives will be on-site to report from the Games, with about 1,000 of them being broadcasters.

Producing more footage then ever before, ISB will provide television signals and footage to individual broadcasters all over the world.

Live coverage of the opening and closing ceremonies will be presented, in addition to selected sporting events, a daily highlights show, two summary play outs and a news feed.

After the Sydney and Salt Lake City Paralympic Winter Games, it will be the third time a host broadcaster has been secured.

ISB boasts wide-ranging experience in sports broadcasting, having been the host for the Athens Games and the Salt Lake City Paralympic Winter Games

The following countries have gained broadcast of the Athens Paralympic Games: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Australia, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Iran, Japan, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Pakistan, Portugal, South Africa, Ukraine, United Kingdom and the Pan-European broadcaster Eurosport.

Negotiations are on course with Bulgaria, Croatia, Cuba, Colombia, Iceland, India, Russia, Turkey and Venezuela