Like many of you, I spent two weeks glued to my TV watching the world’s best athletes compete in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. You probably watched Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky dominate the pool and Usain Bolt throw down some serious speed on the track, but while the Olympics were amazing and I’m already looking forward to the Winter Games in 2018, this article isn’t about the Olympics.

Currently, athletes with physical ailments, such as amputation, paralysis, or visual impairment, have gathered to compete in 23 Paralympic sports in the same venue as this Summer's Olympic Games. The adversity these athletes overcome is nothing short of inspiring, but in no way should their athleticism be underestimated. Four visually impaired athletes ran the 1,500 meters faster than their Olympic counterparts. These athletes did this with little to no sight. Additionally, team USA swept the podium in Paratriathlon and Track and Field. These are some pretty incredible accomplishments if you ask me.

Have you ever heard of Goalball? It’s a sport contested in the Paralympics, but not the Olympics. It’s an intense game played by blind athletes. All athletes are required to wear blackout goggles so the playing field is completely equal. Goalball is a perfect example of how athletes that compete in the Paralympic games possess skill equal to that of the Summer Olympians. However, not many people are familiar with them.

Although these athletes break records and top podiums, they were scarcely covered by the media. NBC covered more than 6,000 hours of the Olympics. They’re covering a little over 60 hours of the Paralympics. I’m not complaining because this is a huge improvement from the past.

I don’t write this to fault any of you.Most people have never heard of the Paralympics and that’s not their fault. I think it’s important to shed light on the incredible athletes that do the work and don’t necessarily get the same recognition for it as their Olympic counterparts.

The truth is, these athletes put in hours of grueling work, they make sacrifices, and they do it all for the honor of representing our country on athletics’ biggest stage. These athletes redefine ability and turn “can’t” into “can” and it’s incredible to witness.

I support the Paralympics. I support the athletes that compete. I hope to have the honor of one day competing at that level, but until then, I’ll do everything in my power to give these athletes the recognition they deserve.