PARIS, Sep. 8 (by EUROPA PRESS special correspondent Ramón Chamorro) –
The president of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), Andrew Parsons, said on Sunday that the Paris Paralympic Games had been “the most spectacular in history” and demanded that now “recognition and applause must be followed by acceptance and action” and that “obstacles must be turned into opportunities” for all people with disabilities around the world.
“Tonight we bring to a close the record-breaking Paralympic Games in Paris, with more countries competing, more women and global coverage. Paris 2024 has set a benchmark for all future Paralympic Games. Thank you to Tony Estanguet and those who organised these Paralympic Games, the most spectacular in history,” Parsons said in his speech at the Closing Ceremony at the Stade de France.
The leader thanked France for its “passion” and “support” that have been “incredible and magnificent.” “With spirit and pride, you have made the last twelve days joyful and unforgettable, these days where the beginning of the Revolution of Inclusion was celebrated with a Paralympic party here in Paris,” he added.
The Brazilian is clear that the fans were “amazed by what they saw.” “Free from barriers, the Paralympic athletes gave their best. Through sport, they showed what humanity can achieve when given the opportunity to succeed. It is the strength of diversity, but now is the time for all of us and society to make a difference,” he said.
“I ask everyone to be inspired by their commitment to change. Recognition and applause must be followed by acceptance and action. Changing attitudes must lead to changing views and words of praise must be replaced by words of conviction. Obstacles must be turned into opportunities. We all have a collective responsibility to build on the momentum of the Paris Paralympic Games to make the world around us fairer and more inclusive,” she stressed.
For this reason, “beyond these 12 days of sport” he called for “breaking down the barriers that exist in society.” “We must allow and empower people with disabilities to excel off the playing field and do so in education, in employment, in entertainment, in government, in civil society. In short, everywhere,” he warned.
“Diversity and difference should not divide us, they should unite us, drive change and make this planet a better place for everyone. Change starts with sport and our Paralympic-led Inclusion Revolution has accelerated change to make this city and country more inclusive,” the IPC President continued.
The president thanked the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, “for his wonderful commitment” and the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, “for having made the most beautiful city in the world more accessible to people with disabilities,” and he also did not forget the volunteers “for their tireless work day and night which contributed to the success of these Games” and whose “energy and enthusiasm” was an inspiration.
“Athletes, on this stage, the biggest of all, you were the stars of the show, you wrote a world to which we all belong. From the Grand Palais to Versailles, from the Stade de France to La Défense, your performances lit up the city with blinding lights,” he said.
For Parsons, the athletes arrived in Paris “as hopefuls” and leave “as heroes and heroines, as role models for a better and more inclusive future.” “These were the greatest Games for sports performance,” he said.
“But sadly, the time has come to declare them closed. I call on Paralympians from around the world to gather again in Los Angeles in four years where the Paralympic Games will aim to transform America. We love Paris, we love France, we love you, thank you very much,” he said.