A flurry of fireworks reverberated around the iconic Maracana Stadium as sounds of music, with a generous offering of samba, ignited the atmosphere at the closing ceremony of the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games.

Once at risk owing to huge budget cuts and poor ticket sales, ‎the games, in a few days before its opening, took on a new life which made organizers and supporters alike breathe a deep sigh of relief.

Inspired by athletes ably using their disability ‎to go beyond the incredible, the Brazilian public were moved to come out to demonstrate its support for sporting valour and excellence. It was not just a games. It was a sport extravaganza with deep meaning: the triumph  of the human spirit over the physical and mental.

‎Thousands witnessed the closing ceremony which marked the end of a re-union of athletes of different skin colours,  races, culture and creeds across the globe but which ‎re-emphasized the unifying impact and deep bonds of sport.

The theme of the ceremony was ‘wrapped’ in the sounds of the human body which move our spirits and create rhythms which bring cultures together. The ceremony celebrated those who play an instrument but cannot hear; those who dance but cannot see; those who express themselves and tell stories of transformation. It applauded the ‘Spirit in Motion’ which embodies  courage, determination equality  and inspiration – values of the Paralympic movement.

Athletes mingled in friendship and said au revoir, some with greater happiness than others they having earned a coveted medal or more for their performances.

The Paralympic family flag was‎ handed to Tokyo where, once again, the athletes will assemble in 2020 for the sixteenth Paralympiad‎.

The Jamaican team delegation, headed by Chef de Mission,  Javon Campbell, was part of history and the journey that continues apace as the world searches for deeper values and truths for peace and unity through sport. ‘This has been totally fulfilling and an experience which has taught me more of the value of life and lives lived with greater abilities than their disabilities.’ Campbell said as he reflected on the games now history.

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“I gave it my all” were the words of Shane Hudson who ‎narrowly missed out on the bronze medal  in the Men’s T47 400 in Brazil’s Olympic Stadium this evening.

Denied his day in the sun, Hudson disappointed but not defeated said: “This will make me more determined to continue. 49.07 is my season’s best. I look now to London next year where the IIPC Athletics  World Championships will be held”.

Hudson came into the homestretch well positioned but was unable to hold off the bronze medalist.  Gunther Matzinger of Austria  (48.95), Santos Ferreira of Brazil who took silver in 48.87 ‎and Ernesto Blanco of Cuba who struck gold in 48.79

Sport Manager and Coach, Neville Sinclair, was brief and somewhat emotional in his reaction: “It all came down to the homestretch. Today, is not his but tomorrow will be a new day and his”

JPA President, Christopher Samuda,  ‎described Hudson’s run as “valiant and inspiring and what we expect from an athlete who is determined to give his best on the day”.

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Paralympian Shane Hudson ran cautiously but somewhat assertively  to progress to the final of the T47 400m ‎on Saturday when he hopes that the battle he won today will become  the prized victory in tomorrow’s war.

With sights on a medal, Hudson’s game plan in the semi-final was to test the competition and execute in order to earn a good lane for the final and he did just that. Running from lane 4 in the third semi-final, he had an even start but took control at the top of the backstretch and on the home curv

e and was controlled in the final meters stopping the clock at 49.53 the fastest time going into the final.
“I am feeling fine. The hour is tomorrow and I will give it my all” Hudson said whose silver medals in the 2011 and 2015  Para Pan American Games and the ‎2015 IPC World Athletics Championships are historic achievements as he looks to the future.

Sport Manager and Coach, Neville Sinclair, in characteristic style, said: “Shane’s time is now and he knows that he alone can make the call he so deserves”

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It was not to be the golden day we had expected as an injured Alphanso ‘The Ambassador’ Cunningham competed in the Men\’s F53 Shot Put at the Rio Paralympic Games bowing out in the first round.

A recurrent back injury prevented the multiple medalist from giving the usual  authoritative display of expertise and experience which  only champions have and Cunningham has proven consistently in the international arena that he has the credentials.

‘I could hardly do the job.  The work continues and I will get over this injury and put this unfortunate occurrence behind me’ said a disappointing Cunningham.

The gold went Che Jon Fernandes from Greece with a throw of 8.44m which was a regional record. . The silver went to Scot Severn from the USA in a season’s best of  8.41m and the bronze went to Asadollah Azimi from the Islamic Republic of Iran with 8.14m.

Cunningham’s campaign at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games has ended but in July of 2017 he will begin another at the IPC World Athletics Championship in London.

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On September 14 at 10:05am Rio time, Alphanso “The Ambassador” Cunningham will go in the Men’s F53 Shot Put in his ‎bid for a medal to add to the collection he has acquired from past Paralympic Games. World Championships and Para Pan American Games.

He is not taking anything for granted and views each competitor as a prospective gold medalist.

“I am feeling great but am alert to the competition”

‎Cunningham said as he relaxed in the Paralympic Village before tomorrow’s assignment.

Cunningham has a very distinguished career at these Games and is Jamaica’s most decorated Paralympian at international championships. A quiet achiever, Coach Neville Sinclair, continues to give him invaluable support and guidance. “Alphanso is a coach’s dream athlete. He trains smart, follows instructions but is so independent and knows his game very well to the extent that you can leave him on his own and he’ll rise” Sinclair remarked.

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Jamaica’s Paralympian, Shane Hudson, is quietly awaiting Friday when he starts his campaign for the gold medal in the Men’s T 47 400m.

Training has been going well under the watchful eyes of Head Coach,  Neville Sinclair, and ‎his physical conditioning is continually being monitored by Rushane McDonald, the team’s massage therapist.

Hudson is taking it seriously having missed out on gold at the 2011 Guadalajara Pan American Games, the 2014 Toronto Pan American Games and the 2014 IPC Lyon World Athletics Championships when, on each occasion, he got the silver. In 2012 he was a favourite for the gold at the London Paralympic Games but, regrettably, did not participate as a result of the quota system of the IPC.

“One hour at a time and every minute counts” Hudson says as he looks somewhat into the future. He will come out of the blocks in a semi-final this Friday with the hope that on Saturday he will be able to finally clinch the gold.

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Jamaica’s Paralympic delegation to the Rio Games, now under way in Brazil, welcomed Her Excellency, Allison Roofe, Jamaica’s Ambassador in Brazil, in a brief meeting in the office of the Chef De Mission in the Paralympic Village.

The office was ablaze with the national colours as the meeting occurred just before the Jamaica’s Welcome Ceremony. JPA’s President, Christopher Samuda,  welcomed the Ambassador and her Deputy, Miss Deserene Taylor, and thanked them for the  courtesy extended to both the Paralympic and Olympic delegations. Chef de Misson, Javon Campbell, introduced the delegation and presented the Ambassador with a gift on behalf of the team. Sport Administrator, Ann-MarieSmith, presented Miss Taylor with a gift and both team officials  thanked our diplomatic representatives, for accommodating the team in their busy schedule.

Ambassador Roofe in replying thanked the delegation for permitting the visit and informed that the embassy will facilitate the team in ensuring that members enjoy a comfortable stay in Brazil. Her Excellency then commended the athletes and wished them all the very best in competition. Both the Ambassador and her Deputy received the official Rio pin of the team from Secretary General, Suzanne Harris-Henry.

The Ambassador and Deputy accompanied  the delegation  to the Welcome Ceremony.  They also attended the  Opening Ceremony and  sport events as accredited guests of the Paralympic team ‎before returning to the capital, Braslia, to continue official duties.

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First time Paralympian, Dana-Gaye Weller, seemed hardly a rookie at  the premier track and field competition in  ‎the world – the Paralympic Games – being held in Rio de Janeiro.

At approximately 5:35 pm Rio time, she emerged in the ring for the Women’s F51 Club Throw in the Olympic Stadium, the home of track and field at these games. The job had to be done and she was conscious of that fact and the expectations of her coach, Neville Sinclair, and Team Janaica. Although she fell short in the standings by placing sixth, she delvered her personal best (PB) in fine style  with a throw of 12.21m .

“I am feeling so accomplished yet I know that the journey has just begun and I have to go the distance”‎ said Weller as she gave that characteristic confident smile. From the outset, she took command of her nerves and emotions and gave Jamaica an inspiring performance.

Coach Sinclair, reflecting on Weller’s performance, said “This is a demonstration ‎of discipline, hard work and application and a prime example of commitment for others to emulate”

Weller started the sport seriously this year as previously she was unable to dedicate quality time  owing to personal commitments as well as challenges in ‎commuting to Kingston from Mandeville for training. But now she has entered  the arena of international competition and, form all indications, and intends to be a respected conender for future medals.

“This is Paralympism at its finest. A modest and an industrious Jamaican with an admirable ability to go beyond her  limit ” said Christopher Samuda, President of the Jamaica Paralympic Association.

But the jury is still out regarding the appropriateness of classification of athletes in Weller’s class. Th Paralympic Record leading into the Rio Games stood at 13.64 mThis year, prior to the games,  the world record was established at a remarkable distance of 22.75 mby the gold medaist.  In this Paralympic competition, athletes hurled the club over 18 meters, arguably a phenomenon in the event. Only Weller and Zena Cole from the USA, who finished seventh,  kept within the Paralympic Record and the distance expected of athletes who traditionally fall within the F51 class. On the face of it, the JPA boss, Christopher Samuda says that “the  circumstances appear incredulous and clearly merit an investigation”

Joanna‎ Butterfield of Great Britain got the gold medal with a throw of 22.81 m a new world record,  Zola Ovsii of Ukraine copped the silver with 22.21m and Kyle Grimes, also of Great Britain, captured the bronze with a throw of 21.84m

Nevertheless, Weller is now in the club of club throwers and plans to retain her membership ‎and excel at next year’s IPC World Athletics Championship in London.

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Multiple gold medalist, Alphanso “The Ambassador” Cunningham, stepped into the javelin  circle this morning as the first Jamaican competitor at the 15th Paralympiad now underway in Rio de Janeiro.

Cunningham was the only F53 athlete competing against stronger F54 athletes in the F54 Javelin event. He knew that it would be a challenge under the existing system established by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) which pities athletes who are strong against those obviously less stronger and which determines positions based solely on distance measurement.

‎But despite the imbalance of the scales, Cunningham proved his mettle and demonstrated why he is the world record holder for the Javelin F53 by going against the tide and in so doing he threw his season’s best 19.49 meters but regrettably he came fifth at the end of the table.

“I’m  always up to a challenge. My friends from other countries  in my class F53 said to me days before the competition that I am committing suicide going against the bigger boys. Well I’m still alive and kicking”

Quietly confident as he has always been, ‎Cunningham brought a remarkable focus and determination to his which coach Neville Sinclair described as “truly champion like”. JPA boss, Christopher Samuda praised Cunningham for his bravery which he said “comes naturally from a seasoned competitor who believes in himself, is totally dedicated to the sport and wishes at all times to be an inspiration to others”

The event was won by Manolis Stefanoudakis of Greece took the gold with a throw of 29.45, Alberto Zepeda of Mexico copped the silver at 25.92m and Aliaksandr Tryputs took the bronze at 23.56m

Cunningham now sets his sight on the F53 shot put net week when, once again, he will step into the ring in pursuit of glory for his country.

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 The rains came down in buckets towards the very end of the Opening Ceremony of the 15th Paralympic Games in the celebrated Maracana Stadium, a sport landmark not only for Brazilians but indeed peoples of the world. ‎For many it was a blessing, a spiritual catharsis symbolizing the hope and strength of humanity as the Paralympic flamed blazed triumphantly in the downpour.

‎‎It was an inspiring start to what many hope will be a memorable games which is taking place for the first time in South America in a country beset with political and economic challenges. Yet there is a strong feeling that these games will unearth  the valour of a people known for their rabid nationalism in sport in emerging from the ashes.

Jamaica walked with over one hundred and fifty ‎nations in a parade which has become commonplace but continues to be the signature event of opening ceremonies of Paralympic and Olympic Games. Shane Hudson was the flag bearer and his eyes must have photographed the occasion from the top of the podium as he contemplates the finals of the T46/47 400m where he is one of the favourites for the coveted gold medal. ‎

‎Similar thoughts must also have ran through the minds of his colleagues Alphanso “The Ambassador” Cunningham and Dana-Gaye Weller both of whom remain focused on the job to be done. It is a first assignment for Chef de Mission, Javon Campbell‎, but his marshaling of Team Jamaica has inspired the athletes and managers in a demonstration of unity.

‎An unwelcomed reception ‎from the crowd in a packed stadium at the mention of the Municipal and Federal governments was quite audible but never marred the spirit of friendship and unity which was reflected in a huge mosaic of the faces of the athletes created from puzzle pieces  carried by the volunteers who preceded each delegation. It was a fascinating display of art and creative thinking that have come to characterise the opening ceremonies of the Paralympic Games.

‎The ceremony first depicted the wisdom and genius of man in the portrayal of the invention of the wheel which “drives” transportation and facilitates many capabilities and endeavours today. The drama then unfolded with a beach scene reflecting a “democratic space” of human life with its diversity of “colours, textures and flavours” Yet in this very multiplicity of cultures, there are hearts beating in unison and unity.

‎The message was clear: humankind can re-invent and transform itself, despite all the challenges, and unleash new powers and abilities.

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