The first eight days of the London Paralympics have gifted us with more inspiring feats of against-the-odds athleticism than you could ever begin to describe with words. Hence the following gallery of Fifteen Amazing Paralympians Who Are So Good At What They Do That They Make Us Question Our Noncommittal Attitudes To Anything and Everything, or put more simply, Fifteen Inspiring Paralympians.
Australia’s Amber Merritt takes a shot during the Women’s Semi Final Wheelchair Basketball match against the USA and is almost definitely better at basketball than you could ever hope to be. Photo by Jamie McDonald for Getty Images.
Ryley Batt, also of Australia, takes on Viking Warrior With Amazing Hair, Legolas Tobias Sandberg of Sweden, in Wheelchair Rugby. Can you hear that? Somewhere in Australia a Wallaby is crying. Photo by Chris Jackson for Getty Images.
This is truly amazing: Juan Reyes of Mexico looks absolutely elated after kicking culo (Spanish for ‘ass‘) to win gold in the Men’s 50m Backstroke. Photo by Clive Rose for Getty Images.
Sini Zeng of China displays extraordinary feats of cycling skills and balance to rival that of China’s Olympic gymnasts all the while winning gold in the Women’s Individual C1-3 road race. Photo by Michael Steele for Getty Images.
Arnu Fourie of South Africa and Gold medalist Jonnie Peacock of Team GB soar over the line in the Men’s 100m – T44 Final. Photo by Julian Finney for Getty Images.
Assia El Hannouni of France gets by with a little help from her friend to take gold in the Women’s 200m – T12. Photo by Mike Ehrmann for Getty Images.
“Hop, skip, jump!” Or words to that effect from Ukrainian Ruslan Katyshev’s guide as he competes in the Men’s Triple Jump – F11 Final. Photo by Julian Finney for Getty Images.
This is probably the most heart-warming photo I’ve ever seen. ‘US Americans’ Nicholas Taylor and David Wagner share and shed some tears after the Quad Doubles Wheelchair Tennis Gold Medal match. Game, set and match made in inspirational sporting heaven. Photo by Dennis Grombkowski for Getty Images.
The incredible Matt Stutzman, whose unimaginable skill in archery saw him take silver in the Men’s Individual Compound Archery. The men who took gold and bronze both have arms; Matt however, uses his feet. Photo by Dennis Grombkowski for Getty Images.
Digging, setting and spiking with more balls than you could ever hope to muster, Justin Phillips of Great Britain makes an awe-inspiring save during the Men’s Sitting Volleyball 7-8 competition. Photo by Dan Kitwood for Getty Images.
Prince Harry is brave enough to a) show his face for the first time after The Hangover III and b) play with balls between his legs at the Goalball. Photo by Chris Jackson for Getty Images.
