Miss-Delectable
New Member
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2004
- Messages
- 17,160
- Reaction score
- 7
LIVENEWS.com.au > Beijing 2008 > Deaf Aussie swimmer misses race start after malfunction
A young deaf and visually impaired Australian swimmer has been left standing on the blocks after missing the start of her final at the Paralympics at Beijing because of a technical malfunction.
Teigan Van Roosmalen knew something was wrong when she realised she was all alone on the blocks.
The 17-year-old burst into tears when she thought she had blown her chances in the 400m freestyle in the S13 category.
Because the teenager is deaf and visually impaired and can't hear the gun, a light goes off on the blocks to signal the start of the race.
But a malfunction meant the light didn't work.
The race was stopped at 75 metres and and it was agreed they would race again.
When the race was eventually re-run, Roosmalen came in eighth place.
A young deaf and visually impaired Australian swimmer has been left standing on the blocks after missing the start of her final at the Paralympics at Beijing because of a technical malfunction.
Teigan Van Roosmalen knew something was wrong when she realised she was all alone on the blocks.
The 17-year-old burst into tears when she thought she had blown her chances in the 400m freestyle in the S13 category.
Because the teenager is deaf and visually impaired and can't hear the gun, a light goes off on the blocks to signal the start of the race.
But a malfunction meant the light didn't work.
The race was stopped at 75 metres and and it was agreed they would race again.
When the race was eventually re-run, Roosmalen came in eighth place.