Hi, everybody!
This weekend the Davies Cup games took place in different parts of the world. Argentina played in Buenos Aires, won 5-0
and moved on to the quarter finals. It wasn't really surprising because on our team we have two of the top ten players in the world, Guillermo Coria and David Nalbandian, and two others, Guillermo Cañas and Agustín Calleri, who are also among the best. If you like tennis you'll probably remember that Coria lost the Roland Garros final to another Arg. player, Gastón Gaudio, who could not join the team for the Davies Cup because of an injury during a tournament last week. I'm explaining this to show how big and famous they all are (in the world of tennis).
Yesterday, immediately after the presentation of the teams and BEFORE the doubles game, all of the players distributed souvenirs among the "special children" who were sitting in the front rows - many in wheelchairs - around the court. They hugged and kissed them, and had photos taken with them. Even Cañas and Nalbandian, who were about to play the game, did this. It's something unusual because it's a moment when they need to concentrate on their game. You should have seen the children's faces. They were beaming.
As soon as the game was over, there was a big celebration with all of our tennis players - even those who didn't participate in the games but gave their help and support to the official team - dancing and jumping and showering one another with champagne. The celebration was big but very short. A basket full of tennis balls was brought to the court and then Coria, Nalbandian and Cañas started playing with the "special children" who had been watching the game, many of whom participate in the Special Olympics. The players encouraged them with their gestures and big smiles.
I was there, at the Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club (boyfriend loooooves tennis
), and I looked around me and every single person was either smiling or crying. Everybody was touched, particularly when one of the boys, a special Down boy (forgive me if I don't express myself properly), after playing with Coria for a little while, ran to the net, jumped over it and into his arms, and hugged and kissed him, and was hugged and kissed in return. When the boy got down, Coria took his shirt off, gave it to him and the boy kissed it and ran all around the court, waving the shirt over his head as if he had just won the Olympics, to the crowd's ovation.
You can see the photo of the hug here:
(click on it if you want to make it bigger)
http://www.lanacion.com.ar/coberturaEspecial/copaDavis/nota.asp?nota_id=685259La Nación newspaper called it a "soul hug" and that's exactly what it was.
If you manage to see the photo (I'll try to post it but I have never posted pictures,
so I can't promise much... shame on me!!!!) take a look at the little blond boy who is being lifted by one of the teachers/trainers for him to hug Cañas. He hugged all of the players and had his photo taken with all of them. He's a baby. I wish you had seen him holding his little racket and hitting the balls with all his might. It was unforgettable.
Hasn't this warmed your heart in a way few things can? I wish Clay would read it. I kind of imagine how he would feel. Inclusion is slowly becoming a reality.
Thank you for providing a forum where these stories can be posted.
Love and
to you all,
Clara
Users: 0
Author
