Sochi is seeing a heartwarming ceremony as the 2014 Winter Paralympic Games open. The hosts are among the Paralympic favorites at the Games, which are already raising the awareness for the disabled people in Russia.
Unity, equality, inclusiveness – these are the mottos of the opening ceremony taking place at the Fisht stadium in Sochi Olympic Park. An equal amount of effort has been put into making the ceremony as “bright and colorful,” as the breathtaking Olympics opening of February 7.
Russia’s fairytale phoenix has been symbolically picked as one of the characters for the show. According to the event’s creative director Konstantin Ernst, the very fact that Russia is hosting its first Paralympics has been very important for the people with disabilities living in the country, ever since the decision was announced in 2007.
“We couldn’t fail to take note of the positive changes that had taken place in Russian society with regard to people with disabilities. We focused on passing on that feeling, and our ceremony is called ‘Breaking the Ice.’ It explains how important it is to break down comprehension barriers between people,” Ernst said as quoted by RIA Novosti.
Russia’s fairytale phoenix has been symbolically picked as one of the characters for the show. According to the event’s creative director Konstantin Ernst, the very fact that Russia is hosting its first Paralympics has been very important for the people with disabilities living in the country, ever since the decision was announced in 2007.
“We couldn’t fail to take note of the positive changes that had taken place in Russian society with regard to people with disabilities. We focused on passing on that feeling, and our ceremony is called ‘Breaking the Ice.’ It explains how important it is to break down comprehension barriers between people,” Ernst said as quoted by RIA Novosti.
Most inspiring are personal accounts of Russian Paralympians, who have overcome all odds on their way to victories and top-class performance.
The captain of Russia’s Paralympic ice sledge hockey team, Vadim Selyukin, told RT his team is practicing morning till night to show the best of their skills and to challenge the sport’s current undisputed leaders – Canada and the US.
“Every player thinks only about victory, how to grab it and never let it go. This is important,” Selyukin said.
Vadim lost both of his legs in the Second Chechen war in 2002. His will to live not only allowed him to outlast the injury, but also led the Russian sledge hockey team to third place at the 2013 World Championships.
The captain of Russia’s Paralympic ice sledge hockey team, Vadim Selyukin, told RT his team is practicing morning till night to show the best of their skills and to challenge the sport’s current undisputed leaders – Canada and the US.
“Every player thinks only about victory, how to grab it and never let it go. This is important,” Selyukin said.
Vadim lost both of his legs in the Second Chechen war in 2002. His will to live not only allowed him to outlast the injury, but also led the Russian sledge hockey team to third place at the 2013 World Championships.
Sochi Games will feature an exciting debut of para-snowboarding, which this year has been placed under the Alpine Skiing program of the Paralympics.
On the eve of the Paralympics, there has been an amazing support for over 500 Paralympians from 45 countries.
Source: rt.com
No comments:
Post a Comment