Paralympics essential part of Sochi 2014, says UN Secretary General

“The Paralympic Games are an essential part of the Sochi Winter Olympic Games. I am one of many millions of people inspired by those athletes.”

United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has praised the inspirational performances of Paralympians around the globe and highlighted the importance of March’s Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi.

In a 20-minute address at the 126th IOC Session in Sochi, Russia, on Thursday (6 February), Ban Ki-Moon spoke about the power of sport in promoting and advancing health, development and peace as well as human rights, including those of people with an impairment.

“The Paralympic Games are an essential part of the Sochi Winter Olympic Games,” said Ban Ki-moon. “I am one of many millions of people inspired by those athletes.”

Bank Ki-moon also talked about sport’s ability to break down negative stereotypes and build positive attitudes highlighting sport’s ability to not discriminate and instead bring people all of different backgrounds together.

“Sports and physical activity are part of life. The popularity of sports transcends all barriers. Sport has an amazing power to spontaneously unite people as one in solidarity," he said.

Ban Ki-Moon also praised his colleague Wilfried Lemke, the Special Advisor to the UN Secretary General on Sport for Development and Peace and spoke about how the UN has designated 6 April as the International Day of Sports, Development and Peace.

Lemke is a frequent attendee at Paralympic Games, and in addition to attending London 2012 was chosen by the IPC to be act as a torchbearer in the Paralympic Torch Relay.

The Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games get underway on 7 March and will involve around 600 athletes from 44 countries. They will compete in 72 medal events across five sports – alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing, ice sledge hockey and wheelchair curling - ahead of the Closing Ceremony on 16 March.