President of Brazil Received Paralympic Honour

Today, the President of the Federal Republic of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, visited the Parapan American Games Village in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and talked to some athletes as well as to staff and volunteers of the Rio 2007 Parapan American Games Organizing Committee (CO-RIO). 17 Aug 2007 By IPC

During a welcome ceremony for President Lula, where the Brazilian team, various high-ranking officials including Brazilian Minister of Sport Orlando Silva, CO-RIO President Carlos Nuzman and Americas Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons, as well as lots of media were present, he addressed especially the athletes: “You are not just bringing medals to your country but also demonstrating that everyone can overcome barriers when you really want to”, said Mr. Lula da Silva.

On the occasion of this visit, International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Governing Board member Jose Luis Campo presented President Lula with the Paralympic Honour which is bestowed on high-ranking dignitaries, officials and other persons outside the Paralympic Movement who have contributed significantly to the Movement.

The list of recipients includes Dr. Kazuo Hatada, President of Far East and South Pacific Games of the Disabled (FESPIC), Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, Prof. Dr. Horst Köhler, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Wen Jiabao, Premier of People's Republic of China, Ferenc Gyurcsany, Prime Minister of Hungary and Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).