A few weeks ago, I really enjoyed watching the triathlon races at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.  As a result, I decided I would watch the Paralympic Triathlon races too.  The first of those races happened this evening.

I enjoyed the races, and in particular, I found the race for the visually impaired fascinating.  The degree of trust and communication between the athlete and their guide is remarkable. 

It blows my mind how a guide can help during the swim.  I mean, these men and women were swimming all out.  Somehow the guides were able to keep their athletes on course and swimming straight.  Around the buoys, I guess there had to have been some verbal guidance, but who knows?

The speed through transition was also incredible.  The visually impaired athletes were pretty much self sufficient, even when it came to putting on their helmet  and glasses.  They must practice this so many times.  

Maneuvering the tandem bike around the course was interesting.  You could see the guides talking their athletes through the corners, with both riders leaning into them.  Equally impressive were the flying dismounts off the bike.

I had assumed that the easiest part of guiding would be the run, but having watched, I am not so sure.  Communication is again obviously key, but the guides have to be really fast. They not only have to keep up with an athlete running flat out, but they also have to talk to them while doing so. 

All in all the Paralympic Triathlon races were truly inspirational and I look forward to watching more of them tomorrow.