Serbian Paralympians have won numerous medals at competitions around the world, inspiring not only people with disabilities but society as a whole. A meeting of the Executive Board ofthe Paralympic Committee of Serbia was held July 14th in Arilje,where plans for participation in the Paralympic Games were discussed, along with measures to further develop sports for people with disabilities.
Подршка параоломпијским спортистима Србије | Србија данас | РТС
Serbian Paralympians have won numerous medals at competitions around the world, inspiring not only people with disabilities but society as a whole. A meeting of the Executive Board of the Paralympic Committee of Serbia was held July 14th in Arilje, where plans for participation in the Paralympic Games were discussed, along with measures to further develop sports for people with disabilities.
The Paralympic Committee of Serbia has received two new vehicles intended for athletes. The donation was made by the owner of a multinational company who, although not of Serbian origin, decided to support Serbian Paralympians through this project because he is himself a paraplegic.
Report by Predrag Stojković
"The key point is that Mr Bojko has been supporting para sport for many years. He believes that para sport is not only about competitions, medals and training, but also about the full inclusion of people," said Goran Borčić, Director of the Parasport Foundation.
Borislava Perić Ranković has won gold and silver medals for Serbia at the Paralympic Games in Beijing, London, Rio de Janeiro and Paris. She believes that Paralympians also need the kind of sponsorship support available to Olympic athletes.
"It would mean a great deal to athletes to know that, in addition to the Ministry, there are others who believe in them. We know that the people around us believe in us and are always there to support us. However, when the wider public believes in you, it gives you the additional encouragement you need to achieve outstanding results. Even when you are struggling, knowing that someone believes in you helps you overcome a psychological crisis. Sometimes you give 120 or 130 per cent of yourself simply to prove that you are worthy of people’s investment and their faith in you," said table tennis player Borislava Perić Ranković, a member of the Executive Board of the Paralympic Committee of Serbia.
The sporting achievements of Paralympians help change public perceptions of people with disabilities.
"When people see individuals who are missing one or both legs, who have no arm, who are visually impaired or completely blind, achieving remarkable results, it also motivates people without disabilities. Serbia is a relatively small country, and approximately 800 to 1,000 people are involved in this initiative," said Zoran Mićović, President of the Paralympic Committee of Serbia.
Through new projects, the Paralympic Committee of Serbia plans to increase that number, as the achievements of Paralympic athletes bring joy and pride to sports fans across Serbia. It is estimated that people with disabilities account for around ten per cent of the population worldwide.