Iran Celebrates 5th National Paralympic Day

4,500 athletes took part in sporting events at Tehran's Azadi Sports Complex 17 Oct 2011 By IPC

With just 10 months to go until the London 2012 Paralympic Games, Iran marked its fifth annual National Paralympic Day on Sunday (16 October).

Nearly 4,500 athletes took part in sporting events at Tehran’s Azadi Sports Complex, including demonstrations in Football 7-a-Side and Wheelchair Basketball.

A total of 8,000 people gathered in and around the stadium to witness the encouragement and promotion of Paralympic Sport for young athletes with an impairment.

The young athletes had the chance to meet famous Paralympians who opened their eyes to new opportunities in sport for those with an impairment.

Iranian’s para-sport athletes have achieved top rankings at both the regional and international levels the past couple of years, including a fourth-place overall finish at the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Para Games.

Iran finished with 14 overall medals – including five golds – at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, and will look to build off that at London 2012.