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12 DECEMBER

International Paralympic day celebration at GUM Skating Rink

view all photos On 12 December 2009 at the GUM Skating Rink in the Red Square, for the first time in the history of Russia the International Paralympic day was celebrated.

The festive opening ceremony of the International Paralympic day was organized on the initiative of the Organizing Committee Sochi 2014. Within the scope of the event the new emblem of the Paralympics in Sochi 2014 was presented, new Ambassadors Sochi 2014 were announced, and the partnership agreement for the winter Paralympics in Sochi 2014 was signed with Megafon company.

The International Paralympic day was opened by Vice Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Alexander Zhukov, President of the International Paralympic Committee Sir Philip Craven, human rights commissioner in the Russian Federation, President of Russian Paralympic Committee, Vladimir Lukin, UN Special adviser on sport Wilfried Lemke and President of Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee Dmitry Chernyshenko. After the celebration was over, President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev addressed the participants of the International Paralympic day.

Welcoming the guests, President of the International Paralympic Committee Sir Philip Craven said:

«Paralympic movement has passed long way of development, and today the sportsmen have shown to the spectators in the Red Square and to the whole world, what Paralympic sport is. In the IPC we always maintain four values: courage, strive for improvement, inspiration and equality. Today we have seen with our own eyes how they affect the lives of people with disabilities and of each of us. Not only paralympic sportsmen performed today. Anyone who wishes could try their wings. I hope that celebrating the International Paralympic day will become a good tradition in Russia and will contribute to further positive changes in the country.

A special exhibition pavilion was opened at the Red Square the whole day, showing interactive expositions devoted to the development history of the Paralympic movement and to the XI Winter Paralympics in Sochi in 2014. In the framework of this exposition latest technological developments for people with disabilities were presented together with the barrier-free environment program.

One of the central events of the day was the demonstration match in sledge hockey. Besides there were performances of skaters, Russian singing and figure skating stars. The guests and participants of the celebration could also take part in master classes on skating and sledge hockey.

President of Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee Dmitry Chernyshenko stated:

«Today for the first time in its history Russia has celebrated the International Paralympic day. The importance of this event can scarcely be overestimated. The scope of the event and the warmth with which Russia welcomes the guests of the Day proves again our willingness to create barrier-free environment for people with disabilities, who count 13 million now in Russia.

Within the framework of preparation for Paralympcs we are solving most important tasks of creating new infrastructure transforming Sochi in an all year round resort completely adjusted for people with disabilities. There are projects being realized aimed at developing Paralympic sport and integration of people with disabilities into the society’s social life. Due to the preparation for Paralympics 2014 Sochi will set an example for the region, Russia and the whole world».

Within the scope of the International Paralympic day celebration, laureates of annual award «Return to life» were honored in ten nominations: «Strength in will», «Life, I love you», «Turn of fate», «Overcoming», «Support point», «By personal example». «What our life is? — Struggle», «Second wind», «Life, tears and love…» and «Return to life». Russian Paralympic Committee awarded paralympic sportsmen, who showed outstanding results in Russian and international competitions in 2009.
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