POV Season 27 Episode 3
POV
Season 27

Ep 3. My Way to Olympia

  • July 7, 2014

“My Way to Olympia” is the third episode of POV’s 27th season, a documentary series that explores various cultural and social issues affecting our world. This particular episode, directed by Niko von Glasow, is a poignant and humorous look at the Paralympic Games and the athletes who compete in them.

Von Glasow, who was born with severely shortened arms due to thalidomide-induced disabilities, sets out on a personal journey to the London 2012 Paralympic Games. His goal is to interview other disabled athletes, with a focus on those with physical impairments similar to his own, and to get their perspectives on the games, their training, and their lives.

The film opens with von Glasow attending a Paralympic training camp in Germany, where he meets and interviews several athletes from around the world. He also takes part in various training activities, such as wheelchair basketball and archery, to get a better understanding of the physical and mental demands these sports require.

Throughout the film, von Glasow’s dry and self-deprecating wit adds a sense of levity to what could have been a heavy-handed exploration of disability and sport. He admits to feeling awkward and uncomfortable around other people with disabilities, and often pokes fun at himself to put others at ease. This approach allows him to forge genuine connections with the athletes he interviews, and to draw out honest and often surprising insights into their lives.

One standout interviewee is the British dressage rider, Lee Pearson, who has won 10 Paralympic gold medals to date. Pearson, who has a genetic condition that affects his legs, talks candidly about the challenges he’s faced as a disabled athlete, both in terms of physical training and social stigma. He also discusses the joys he’s experienced from competing and winning at the highest level, and the satisfaction he gets from changing people’s perceptions of disability.

Another memorable interview is with Greg Polychronidis, a Greek Paralympic wheelchair basketball player. Polychronidis lost both legs in a childhood accident, but has gone on to become a world-class athlete. He struggles to reconcile his love of sport with his identity as a disabled person, and expresses frustration at the way the media often portrays disabled athletes as “superheroes” or “inspirations.”

Von Glasow also interviews several athletes from his native Germany, including the wheelchair racer, Heinrich Popow, and the powerlifter, Steffen Warias. Popow, who lost his leg in a boating accident, discusses the importance of perseverance and discipline in training, while Warias talks about the psychological benefits of lifting heavy weights.

The film culminates in von Glasow attending several events at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, including the opening ceremony and several track and field events. He meets many of the athletes he’s interviewed throughout the film, and offers up his own brand of dry humor and wit. Despite his initial reluctance to embrace his identity as a disabled person, von Glasow seems genuinely moved by the camaraderie and spirit of the games, and by the hard work and determination of the athletes he’s come to know.

Overall, “My Way to Olympia” is a moving and entertaining exploration of disability and sport, one that offers a rare glimpse into the lives and perspectives of disabled athletes. Von Glasow’s irreverent and insightful approach makes for compelling viewing, and the film is sure to challenge and inspire audiences of all backgrounds.

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Description
  • First Aired
    July 7, 2014
  • Language
    English