Barcelona Revisited:
10th Anniversary

The Opening Ceremony                 | B-Class events in Athletics            | Petra, the mascot
Photos: Fundació Barcelona Olímpica

History is often a question of interpretation and of subjective impressions. However, everybody in the Paralympic Movement agrees that the Paralympic Games in Barcelona in 1992 were very special Games. There, the Paralympic Games came to age. On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Barcelona Games, THE PARALYMPIAN has asked athletes and officials about their recollections of the 1992 Paralympic Games.

Phil Carven, IPC President
(Technical Delegate in 1992)

" The Barcelona Games were my first as a technical delegate and not as an athlete… On the second evening, 12,500 spectators packed the Badalona basketball arena for Spain versus USA and 4,000 potential spectators were turned away. Barcelona ‘92 turned Paralympic sport into elite spectator sport. Thank you Barcelona! "

Louise Sauvage, Athletics,Australia

" I have now been to three Paralympics and I belong to a very special group of athletes. Barcelona was the beginning of it all. I will never forget my first Paralympic gold medal and the feeling of having it around my neck with the anthem being played and the Australian flag raised up high because I was the best in the world. Barcelona gave me the taste and I wanted more. "

Hans Lindström
(Secretary General of ISOD* in 1992)

" When the ISOD President Guillermo Cabezas informed me that Barcelona would take the Paralympic Games with the condition that classification would be by sport and not by disability, I hugged him. When I accompanied Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden to a swimming event at the Barcelona Games, we both saw how perfectly everything was set up. I had to explain the tears in my eyes to Her Majesty, saying that I had never expected to see this true recognition of athletes with disabilities in my lifetime. "

Francois Terranova, IPC Vice-President
(ICC** Technical Officer in 1992)

" Barcelona was, together with the Paralympic Games in Seoul in 1988, a turning point for the Paralympics, with a single triad for the first time: Same country, same city, same facilities as the Olympic Games. This seems very regular now, but it was a huge victory at the time. "

Heinz Frei, Athletics, Switzerland

" If asked for the greatest experience in my 20 year-long wheelchair sports career, then Barcelona and Sydney are always mentioned in first place. Barcelona gave a completely new dimension to the Paralympic Games, provoked by the pride and sports enthusiasm of the Catalan people. We stayed in the best Olympic and Paralympic Village that I have ever seen. "

Elizabeth Dendy
(President CP-ISRA*** in 1992)

" In Barcelona the Paralympics came of age. I have many happy memories: the professionalism and commitment of the organisers, the excellent facilities in a beautiful and friendly city and the enthusiastic support of the crowds. What more could athletes ask for? "

José María Arroyo Zarzosa
(President ONCE**** in 1992 and today)

" The Barcelona 1992 Paralympic Games were a magnificent opportunity to use sport as a vehicle to get across our message of integration and normalization for the disabled, an aim we have been striving to achieve for more than 64 years now. I honestly believe that the major achievement of Barcelona ‘92 was to bring dignity to disabled sportsmen and women and, as a result, to all disabled people. "

Dr. Robert Steadward, IPC Honorary President
(IPC President in 1992)

" Every day throughout the Games, we noticed long queues of people who were excited about catching every event. It was the first time we experienced such overwhelming public support. As well, the Paralympic Summer Games in Barcelona represented a historic milestone for the IPC with the official handover of the Games from the ICC to the IPC. "

Joan Clos, Mayor of Barcelona

" The city took a whole-hearted interest in the competition, previously of a secondary character, setting these games in the limelight. In addition to the city’s physical transformation, the legacy of the Barcelona 1992 Olympics and Paralympics included the civilities and participation of the people of Barcelona and the confidence we showed as a city. "

Trischa Zorn, Swimming, USA

" I believe the most powerful impact was standing on the podium and hearing the American Anthem for the first time being played during the award ceremony. This was a very emotional and monumental moment for all athletes who were able to hear their national anthem after winning a gold medal. This huge step could not be made without the help and commitment of the Organising Committee of the Barcelona Games. "

Juan Antonio Samaranch,
IOC Honorary President (IOC President in 1992)

" The Paralympic Games in Barcelona were the first of their kind, crowned with success, which highlighted to the world the human quest for great sporting achievements. They were a collective undertaking which, on the occasion of this 10th anniversary celebration, make all those involved very proud. We should however, one again pledge to continue supporting the development of sport for athletes with disabilities. "

* ** *** ****

International Sports Organisation for the Disabled International Coordination Committee Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association Spanish Organisation for the Blind