Brazilian para-sport stars meet President Dilma Rousseff

Athletes from eight sports who had won international medals in 2014 were invited to a special event at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil. 23 Sep 2014
Imagen
Romario Diego MARQUES, Brazilian team blocks

The Brazilian goalball team has been crowned world champion in 2014.

ⒸIPC
By IPC

“I am proud to receive Andrew and the athletes, I can say that they all have a very special place reserved in the Palace."

Brazilian para-athletes who won medals in international competitions in 2014 were invited to a special greeting with President Dilma Rousseff on Friday (19 September) at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil.

The meeting saw athletes from eight sports (powerlifting, sitting volleyball, goalball, judo, rowing, canoe, cycling and table tennis) hear words of encouragement and thanks for their commitment to representing their country in the biggest competitions around the planet.

The President and athletes were joined by the President of the Brazilian Paralympic Committee, Andrew Parsons; Rio 2016 President Carlos Nuzman and Minister of Sport, Aldo Rebelo.

"I'm accustomed to come to the Palace with champions, we are already feeling at home here," joked Parsons.

"Coming to this reception with Dilma is proof that we are able to bring good results. We have much to be thankful for what is happening at the moment, and with the construction of our Training Centre in Sao Paulo, a legacy will arrive even before the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

The President returned her thanks, stating: “I am proud to receive Andrew and the athletes, I can say that they all have a very special place reserved in the Palace. I will even prepare small cups so we can have a coffee here.

“Regarding the training centre, it is very good to know that it is being built in a place that will be considered as an international example for the practice of sports.

The sport unites people and requires from us our best values and this is what is being built together with the training centre.”

Brazil’s men were crowned goalball world champions earlier this year, and the President was gifted a goalball, autographed by all athletes attending the reception, by top scorer at the World Championships, Leomon Moreno.

He said: "I handed the ball to her and I committed to bring the gold medal in 2016. I hope to return here in the Palace in two years as champion of the Paralympic Games.”