Proud Paralympian continues to inspire in Mexico City

The second activation of the International Paralympic Committee’s pilot of its Proud Paralympian programme took place in Mexico City between 26-29 April, involving nearly 70 para-athletes competing at the 2015 IPC Powerlifting Open Americas Championships.

Proud Paralympian is an educational project aimed at Paralympians and those who aspire to compete at the Paralympic Games, and is designed to support athlete development both on and off the field of play, as individuals and active citizens.

In Mexico City, athletes participated in modules relating to the Paralympic values, media training, alongside the Raise the Bar – Say No! to Doping initiative in collaboration with WADA.

As part of the programme, athletes were encouraged to share their dreams and how they use the Paralympic values though an activity called ‘Tree of Dreams’.

One athlete wrote: "Determination will help me to destroy the idea of impossible," whilst another said: "Courage will help me to stay fair, clean, and say no to doping."

"I dream that everyone can benefit from the values that sport gives us,” they continued. “Inclusion for ALL - viva powerlifting!"

The programme also included two mini workshops on social media which attracted over 40 athletes from Brazil, Argentina, USA, Canada and Chile amongst others.

Athletes interacted on topics such as the positives and risks of social media and the value of Facebook and Twitter for sharing their stories, promoting their sport and attracting new fans and potential sponsors.. Many athletes did not have accounts or had not utilised them, but they could soon be seen tweeting using the hashtag #Proudparalympian.

Proud Paralympian encompasses training for athletes who have not yet competed at a Paralympic Games and are aspiring to become Paralympians. The training sessions are run by a series of leaders from within para-sport who have been nominated by International Federations and have benefitted from a two-day interactive programme supported by the Dubai Club for the Disabled.

Proud Paralympian encompasses training for athletes who have not yet competed at a Paralympic Games and are aspiring to become Paralympians. The training sessions are run by a series of leaders from within para-sport who have been nominated by International Federations and have benefitted from a two-day interactive programme supported by the Dubai Club for the Disabled.

The first Proud Paralympian sessions took place at the IPC Powerlifting World Cup in Dubai, UAE, in March.

Further workshops are planned at powerlifting regional Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan, in July, and Eger, Hungary in November. There will also be sessions at a para-rowing development camp in Gavirate, Italy, in May; a training camp in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in June and at August’s Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games.

The pilot is in preparation for Proud Paralympian's offcial launch in 2016, in time for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.