Despite losing to Lithuania 10-0 in a quarterfinal of the Olympic Goalball competition, Canadian brothers Rob and Jeff Christy still enjoy the competitiveness that their sport offers.
"We came here ranking sixth, but we need to do better. You know, we came as a family. My brother is playing with me and my mum is watching from the grandstand," said Rob Christy, two-time Paralympian and younger brother of his teammate Jeff Christy.
The Christies were both diagnosed at a young age as having retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic eye condition from birth. It is a kind of tunnel vision.
But to Rob Christy, sport is something he just cannot tear himself away from. When his vision began to decrease, Goalball was an opportunity for him to remain competitive.
"I am already in my 30s, but I still like to compete. This is a chance for me to test myself against somebody else," said Rob Christy.
Canada will still have a chance to claim fifth position in the Olympic Goalball competition in the Classification 5-8 matches that will be played tomorrow.
(BOCOG September 12, 2008)