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Ohio ALSO Takes on the Paris 2024 Paralympics…

Brace yourself, Paris — Ohio is still crashing your party! The 2024 Paris Olympics are over, but don’t cry yet; the Paralympics begin on August 28th!

Blake Haxton made the podium at the Tokyo Paralympics in the canoe sprint three years ago. Now, he hopes to bring home the gold in Paris—a long journey that began on the Scioto River.

The 2024 Summer Paralympics are scheduled to take place in Paris, France, from August 28 to September 8. This will be the 17th edition of the Summer Paralympic Games.

Why is it called the “Paralympics?

The term "Paralympics" combines "parallel" and "Olympics," reflecting the Games' role as a parallel event to the Olympic Games. The idea is to create a major international sporting event for athletes with disabilities, running alongside the Olympic Games in the same host city and, increasingly, utilizing the same venues.

The name emphasizes the intention for the Paralympics to be a counterpart to the Olympics, with both sets of Games celebrating high-level athletic achievement. It underscores the parallel nature of the events—both are major international competitions but focus on different groups of athletes. The term also highlights the Games' purpose of promoting inclusivity and showcasing the abilities of athletes with disabilities, mirroring the spirit of the Olympics.

The history of the Paralympics is a story of innovation, resilience, and the quest for equality. Here’s a brief overview:

Origins

• 1948: The roots of the Paralympic Games can be traced back to a small sports competition held at the same time as the London Olympics. Dr. Ludwig Guttmann, a neurologist at the Stoke Mandeville Hospital in England, organized the event for World War II veterans with spinal cord injuries. This competition is considered the precursor to the modern Paralympics.

• 1952: The first official Stoke Mandeville Games were held, featuring athletes from the Netherlands and Britain. This event marked the beginning of international competition for athletes with disabilities.

Establishing the Paralympics

• 1960: The first official Paralympic Games were held in Rome, Italy. This was the first time the Games were held in conjunction with the Olympic Games, and it was a significant milestone for the movement. Approximately 400 athletes from 23 countries competed.

• 1964: The Games expanded in Tokyo, Japan, to include athletes with cerebral palsy in addition to those with spinal cord injuries.

Expansion and Evolution

• 1988: The Seoul Games marked a major development as the Paralympics were held in the same city and venues as the Olympic Games for the first time, demonstrating greater integration and recognition.

• 1992: The Barcelona Games were notable for their inclusion of athletes with various types of disabilities and a growing international participation.

Modern Era

• 2000: The Sydney Paralympics were the first to be fully integrated with the Olympic Games, with the same venues and media coverage.

• 2008: The Beijing Games were significant for their emphasis on accessibility and the expansion of sports and events.

• 2012: London hosted the Paralympics with a strong focus on creating a legacy of inclusivity and visibility for athletes with disabilities.

• 2016: Rio de Janeiro continued the trend of increasing global visibility for the Games, featuring a record number of athletes and countries.

The Paralympics continue to grow in scope and significance, reflecting broader societal changes towards inclusivity and celebrating human potential regardless of physical limitations. Each edition of the Games builds on the successes of previous ones, pushing the boundaries of what athletes with disabilities can achieve.

Scarlet Letter Trivia

Question: Which former president's father moved to California after getting frostbite in Columbus?

A. Bob Dole
B. George W. Bush
C. Brutus
D. Richard Nixon

In the News

Ding Ho: Serving Up Viral Hits Alongside Cantonese Classics…
If you live or work on the west side, you've seen “Ding Ho,” a Cantonese restaurant on Phillipi Road that has been dishing out its signature classics since 1956. And if you haven't seen it in person, we’re sure someone slid the now “Columbus viral” TikTok/reel into your DMs this week.  

Food content creator Rob Martinez (@eatingwithrobert) visited the restaurant and created a short, documentary-style video that struck a chord with viewers. In just five days, the video gathered over 92,000 likes, with locals and out-of-towners alike flooding the comments with personal stories. Some talked about their parents taking them to Ding Ho when they were kids; others spoke of dining there on special occasions (or the not-so-special occasions when the onlyincbus gang, does not exactly “WIN BIG” at the casino)  The video tapped into a well of community pride, proving that the restaurant's legacy extends far beyond its menu.

This surge of online fame hasn’t gone unnoticed. Ding Ho’s popularity has skyrocketed, with an increase in both dine-in and online orders. To manage the rush, the restaurant has temporarily reduced its hours, closing at 7 p.m. instead of 9 p.m., and put a hold on online carryout orders. However, they’ve reassured their loyal customers that these adjustments are just temporary.

 If there was ever a time for a shameless plug for a local media company with over 169,000 local Columbus followers and 5 million organic monthly impressions…now would be that time. If you a friend or a family member have a business that could use this kind of viral “social media”  push in business shoot us a message on Instagram @onlyincbus or email our favorite contributor [email protected] (he wrote this…) and we will help you be so busy you have to close early too! 

robmartinez

128K followers

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Now, back to the story…

Ding Ho has been a fixture in Columbus for over six decades. It survived the rise of fast food, the decline of sit-down dining, and now, it’s thriving in the age of social media. For owner Michael Leung and his family, this newfound attention is a testament to the staying power of good food great service and most importantly great story telling.

Columbus Crew's Road to the Leagues Cup Final

The Columbus Crew will face LAFC in the Leagues Cup final at home this Sunday! This match comes 260 days after the Crew’s 2-1 victory over LAFC in the MLS Cup final, highlighting a significant rematch between the two teams.

Under the guidance of Coach Wilfried Nancy, the Crew has secured its third final appearance in only 9 months, demonstrating consistent performance and strategic depth. In the recent semifinal against the Philadelphia Union, the Crew triumphed with a 3-1 score, securing their spot in the final. Diego Rossi is leading the tournament with six goals.

The Crew's path to the final has not been without challenges, particularly in defense, where occasional errors have given opponents scoring opportunities. However, the team has shown resilience, bouncing back from setbacks and maintaining a strong defensive stance throughout the tournament.

As they prepare for the upcoming final, the Crew aims to capitalize on their home-field advantage and continue their winning streak, underscoring their status as a dominant force in American soccer.

Local Medalist!

Noble Cut wins GOLD!

Our Friends over at @noblecut earned multiple medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Valentina’s Melon Basil and Cento Limoncellos soared to Silver medal wins while Melon Basil took home the esteemed Platinum medal, and the Cento Limoncello secured a Silver. Cheers to these award-winning spirits! You can head to the distillery here in Columbus and try them all. Click the link below to book a tour!

Trivia Answer

D. Richard Nixon - I mean, I would prefer not to have frostbite as well…

Signing Off - See You Next Week!