Paralympics - From the other Side
Almost there again, the Paralympics... 4 years after London! My horse then Ariva-Avanti still was young and I would have hoped for a long future together, but her health did not provide that. So after 5 Paralympics (Atlanta, Sydney, Athens, Hongkong and London) I , for the first time ever was not able to make it on the German team. Sally , my 7 year old, is good, but not constant enough at the moment. So when I realized this it made me really sad and I was wondering how this would be. Paralympics, me not there... it was even hard to imagine this. ...but soon an idea formed itself in my head (as this is usual the case if something important keeps my brain busy). What about getting a job there? Would they want somebody with a handicap, never seen it, never thought of it! But I know almost all the riders, speak three languages... maybe they would have a job for someone like me! And asking would not hurt!
Those were my thoughts which led to an e mail I wrote to Amanda Bond, explaining my thoughts. After a while I received the following "Hi Geli. ... we discussed how it would not be right to have a Games without you! None of us have had a major comp without you there!! So we would love to be able to have you with us." This was just an e mail, but it meant so much to me. So still not sure if and how this could work I wrote my CV and left it with Amanda. After some time I received another short e mail. YES, the OC invited me to come to Rio as NTO (National Technical Official). I again thought it over on how it would be... hard to imagine, but I came to a conclusion, it all would be better than sitting at home and waiting for results. I want to be with the sport and where it happens. Horses are my passion!