The Paralympics Opening Ceremony took place this past Wednesday night in Rio de Janeiro. At the ceremony, the Olympic torch entered the stadium and was handed off to Brazilian Paralympic medalist Marcia Malsar. Just as the torch entered Malsar’s hands, rain began to full on the stadium. It was a beautiful scene.
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Malsar was the first Brazilian ever to win a Paralympic gold medal when she won for track in field in 1984. In total, she won 4 medals at 2 different Paralympic Summer games. With such a successful career, it’s no wonder that Brazil chose her to represent by carrying the torch. But no one could have guessed the chilling moment that would occur during Malsar’s walk…
As Malsar passed across the arena stage, carrying the torch in one hand and a cane in the other, she lost her grip on the torch and it fell to the ground. Her balance was thrown and she tumbled after it. But Malsar wasn’t down for long. Aids came to help her to her feet, but she quickly brushed them off and stepped forward on her own.
She bravely finished her leg of the relay, carrying the flag higher than before, as the crowd cheered.
The roar of the audience as they stand on their feet, applauding Malsar, was nothing short of breathtaking.
Malsar’s fall and triumphant recovery remind us what the Paralympic games are all about: athletes who face difficulties and challenges but persevere; athletes who, like Malsar, get back up again.
Share this emotional moment today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSP7_PWZguQ
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