Brazilian Paralympic Committee introduces its team of ambassadors

The Brazilian Paralympic Committee announced on Thursday (July 30) a team of ambassadors who will represent the organisation. The Paralympic Ambassadors Programme was officially launched in an event at the Rio Janeiro City Hall.

The roster presents sports celebrities such as the former Brazilian international football player Romario, Ronaldinho Gaucho, currently playing for Fluminense, two-times Formula 1 world champion Emerson Fittipaldi and judo Olympic medallist Flavio Canto. TV presenters and models Fernanda Lima and Rodrigo Hilbert also make part of it, as well as Luiz Severiano Ribeiro, chair of the Kinoplex Group.

The Paralympic Ambassadors Programme aims to draw more attention to the Paralympic Movement in Brazil through the presence of the group in events as well as social media activities.

Paralympic champions Terezinha Guilhermina, with her guide Guilherme Santana, Yohansson do Nascimento and Rosinha dos Santos took part of the ceremony.

"We are here motivated by a special reason: to celebrate Paralympic sport. I have always been deep in love with sports, especially in Rio de Janeiro. The Brazilian Paralympic Committee has to be congratulated because of the work it has done for Paralympic athletes and people with disabilities," said Emerson Fittipaldi.

Vice-President for the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and President of the Brazilian Paralympic Committee, Andrew Parsons believes that the presence of these celebrities can boost the Paralympic Movement in Brazil in time for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

"The ambassadors will help to promote Paralympic sport and to expand the fan-base of it. We want a huge crowd for our athletes in 2016, and I'm sure the ambassadors will help to move Brazil toward the glory in the 2016 Paralympic Games."