You will never forget the experiences you will have here in Sochi. Let’s commit ourselves to making sure that the citizens of the world in all countries that we represent never forget what you have accomplished through sport, competition and friendship, and how much more we can look forward to.

Welcome to the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games, and congratulations to you for the dedication and hard work that has brought you here as elite competitors on the international stage.

None of us would be here were it not for the efforts of those who have guided the evolution of the Paralympic Movement over the years. Now is the time to renew our commitment to making sure the entire Movements centres on the needs and aspirations of its athletes.

With this in mind, we can acknowledge how the IPC management has worked to ensure the IPC Athletes’ Council is prepared to keep everyone informed and up to date on all matters. Our goal now is to strengthen the voice of athletes in the decisions that will shape their sport and opportunities in the years to come.

For some of you, these will be your first Games, for others they may be your last. Either way, we need to hear from you and draw upon your experiences in training for and competing in these the Games and other major events.

The IPC Athletes’ Council encourages you to take advantage of the opportunities we will create during the Games to join in the athlete focus group discussions we will initiate with the support of your international sport federation.

Do your best to reach out to those groups already working on your behalf, and make sure to attend the athlete information sessions planned for you. These are important opportunities for you to influence the future of your sport and to help us create a better way of communication to and from the athletes.

This will give you a chance to improve your own experiences in the years to come, to enhance the opportunities for those athletes who will follow in your footsteps and to stay involved once your athletic career is over.

We encourage you to stop by our IPC Athletes’ Council areas in the villages. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at athletescouncil@paralympic.org.

You will never forget the experiences you will have here in Sochi. Let’s commit ourselves to making sure that the citizens of the world in all countries that we represent never forget what you have accomplished through sport, competition and friendship, and how much more we can look forward to.