Watch My Way to Olympia

My Way to Olympia is a documentary film that follows the journey of German filmmaker Niko von Glasow as he sets out to make a film about the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Being born with severely shortened arms, Niko has a personal interest in the Paralympics, and his goal is to explore the lives of Paralympic athletes, take a closer look at what makes them unique, and see how they have overcome their challenges in order to compete at the highest level.

The film begins with Niko making his preparations for the trip to London, and we get a glimpse into the difficulties he faces in his everyday life due to his disability. However, Niko wastes no time in showing us that he is not one to let his limitations hold him back. He is determined to make this film, and he does not shy away from the challenges that come with it.

Once in London, Niko begins to meet and interview various Paralympic athletes. We learn about their stories and their motivations for competing in their respective sports. Among those that Niko meets are Greg Polychronidis, a Greek table tennis player, and Matt Stutzman, an American archer. Both of these athletes have overcome significant physical challenges in order to compete at the highest levels of their sports.

Throughout the film, we see Niko struggling at times to communicate with the athletes due to language barriers, as well as the physical challenges of filming in a crowded and chaotic environment. However, he pushes through these obstacles, showing us that anything is possible with determination and drive.

Perhaps one of the most fascinating aspects of the film is the way in which it challenges our preconceptions about disability. Niko himself asks the question, "What is normal?" He notes that when he is among other people with disabilities, he feels "normal," and yet he is acutely aware of how different he is from those who do not share his disability. Through his conversations with the Paralympic athletes, he begins to see that disability is not something to be pitied, but rather something to be celebrated as a unique aspect of a person's identity.

The film also touches on the commercialization of the Paralympics, and the challenges that come with trying to balance the desire for greater visibility and recognition with the risk of losing the authenticity and spirit of the games. As the Paralympics have grown in popularity and importance, they have become more of a business, and the line between competition and commercialism is becoming increasingly blurred.

Overall, My Way to Olympia is a beautifully crafted film that is both thought-provoking and inspiring. It challenges our preconceptions about disability and shows us the incredible strength and resilience of the human spirit. By the end of the film, we feel as though we have truly gotten to know the athletes and have a greater appreciation for the hard work and dedication that has gone into their achievements.

My Way to Olympia is a 2013 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 22 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.