Official reception for the Spanish Paralympic team at the Spanish Embassy in Paris

A large delegation from the Spanish Paralympic team was received this Saturday afternoon at the Spanish Embassy in Paris. In the presence of many authorities, the members of the national delegation who had finished their competition were able to celebrate the good results obtained in the Paralympic Games.

Spain has accumulated thirty-nine medals at these Games, with seven gold, ten silver and twenty-two bronze, in the absence of the final swimming relay and the final day this Sunday, where the canoeing and the athletics marathon will try to reach the figure at forty rounds. Whether it was achieved or not, the sensations in this event were wonderful for the national delegation and it was publicly recognized by the authorities.

In an event hosted by the Spanish ambassador to France, Victorio Redondo, many personalities gathered to celebrate the excellent performance of the Spanish in these Games. The Infanta Elena de Borbón attended; the Minister of Social Rights, Consumption and Agenda 2030 Pablo Bustinduy; the president of the Higher Sports Council, José Manuel Rodríguez Uribes; the general director of Sports of the Higher Sports Council, Fernando Molinero; the president of the Spanish Paralympic Committee, Miguel Carballeda; the managing director of the Spanish Paralympic Committee, Alberto Jofre, and the Spanish ambassador to UNESCO, Miquel Iceta.

The event was opened by Ambassador Victorio Redondo, who thanked the work of the sponsors, volunteers and State security forces such as the Police and Civil Guard, because they cooperated with the French security system during the Games to make them a great organizational success. “It is a great pleasure to share these victories with you,” he dedicated to the athletes. “We felt proud of them, but also small disappointments. That is because you have been the best representative of Spain in these Games,” said Redondo.

The ambassador expressed the institution’s commitment to promote the development of the Paralympic movement. “Article 9.2 of the Constitution says that public powers must reduce obstacles and create conditions to guarantee equality. In the end, this is the most important,” he said.

The president of the Spanish Paralympic Committee, Miguel Carballeda, took to the floor. “It is an honor and a privilege to be here. In the name of the ambassador, I know it is impossible for us to make a mistake,” he joked. “There is nothing more important than people, disabled or not. Because of this, a group of people gathered us here. I want to thank the athletes,” he said.

Carballeda thanked the authorities for their work. “It’s impossible to find a team that makes things easier,” he thanked the ambassador. “We experienced the Paralympic Games with more attendance from public institutions. The Queen, the President of the Government, several ministers, several secretaries of State, general directors, companies visited us… Thank you from from the bottom of my heart, because together we will ensure that people achieve their dreams,” he said.

The president of the Higher Sports Council, José Manuel Rodríguez Uribes, took to the floor. “Thank you athletes for everything you taught us during these two weeks. You gave us unforgettable moments with your exploits. Thank you for your knowledge of how to win and for the knowledge of how to lose,” he stated. “But thank you above all for making us understand how relative the concept of ‘disability’ is. I saw a lot of capacity here,” said Uribes.

The president of the CSD thanked the work of the Spanish Paralympic Committee. “Thanks to Miguel Carballeda and his whole team because their way of being has created a family that gave us a great welcome and that rowed in the same direction,” he noted. “I want to thank the visibility of these Games in the media and the dissemination made by Spanish Radio Television. We have equalized the awards between Olympic and Paralympic medals and this is a sign that the path ends in equality ” he said. “One day we’ll talk about the Games, without further ado,” he hoped.

The Minister of Social Rights, Consumption and Agenda 2030 Pablo Bustinduy closed the session of the parliaments. “Each of you has contributed to giving an extraordinary image of our country. Sometimes too much responsibility is planned on athletes, but you have to show what you did here, your talent,” he stated.

“These days we see that people with disabilities are equally different and public entities have a duty to work to eliminate the differences. We must accept the responsibility that is missing in different areas, ” added Bustinduy, who thanked them for their work.