"The partnership with Ernst & Young is a gift to the Paralympic Movement, a day after the 20th anniversary of the Paralympic Brazilian Committee."

The President of the Brazilian Paralympic Committee (CPB), Andrew Parsons, and athletes Clodoaldo Silva, Dirceu Pinto and Veronica Hipolito participated in an event last week (10 February) in São Paulo, Brazil, at the headquarters of Ernst & Young to celebrate their support of the Rio 2016 Paralympics.

The event was also attended by Jorge Menegassi, Chief Executive Officer of Ernst & Young in Brazil and South America, and Renato Ciuchini, Commercial Executive Director of Rio 2016.

For about two hours, the athletes had the opportunity to talk more about their respective lives. The meeting was hosted by former gymnast Lais Souza, who became quadriplegic in 2014 following an aerial skiing training accident in the lead-up to the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games. She was keen to stress her admiration for Brazil’s Paralympic athletes.

"I would like to congratulate the effort of all of you for being here and for what you have achieved. The motivation you have for all, even to me, is very large. I'm even a little speechless. Congratulations," said Souza.

Before the event, Souza spoke to the athletes for a long time to hear their stories. Silva has won six Paralympic swimming titles whilst boccia player Pinto has won four Paralympic golds. Newcomer Hipolito will make her Paralympic debut in 2016, but is already 200m T38 world champion.

The ratification of the partnership between Ernst & Young and Rio 2016 comes shortly after the Brazilian Paralympic Committee celebrated its 20th anniversary.

Andrew Parsons, who is also the IPC’s Vice President, said: "The partnership with Ernst & Young is a gift to the Paralympic Movement, a day after the 20th anniversary of the Paralympic Brazilian Committee. It is a company with converging values with the CPB, as regards people with disabilities. I congratulate Ernst & Young and 2016 by this partner very similar values to ours.”