Brazil fields 90 athletes at Parapan American Youth Games
Performance of 13- to 21-year-olds shows that the country is developing a new generation of talented athletes for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games
Photo: Beto Monteiro
Brazils delegation of 90 athletes participating in the Parapan American Youth Games in Bogotá, Colombia, has shown that the country is forming a strong new generation of athletes for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. During the first two days of the event, Brazil racked up two gold medals and won victories in seven-a-side football and wheelchair basketball. The Parapan American Youth Games, which began on Saturday 7 October, featured 600 13- to 21-year olds representing 14 countries.
At the opening ceremony, held at the Coliseu El Salitre, the mayor of Bogotá, Samuel Moreno Rojas, congratulated Rio de Janeiro on having been chosen to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The ceremony was attended by Andrew Parsons, president of the Brazilian Paralympic Committee.
After the opening festivities began the fight for medals. And on the very first day, Brazilian athletes won two golds: Renan Faria, 19, came first in the 100m (T13), while Priscila Melo, 18, won the 400 m (T11).
In wheelchair basketball, the Brazilian team beat Argentina 70 to 62. In seven-a-side football, Brazils first match was a wipe out: 12 to 0 against Mexico. Our team is fast. Theyve been slightly affected by the altitude, but we can improve even more, said team coach Dolvair Castelli.
At the opening ceremony, held at the Coliseu El Salitre, the mayor of Bogotá, Samuel Moreno Rojas, congratulated Rio de Janeiro on having been chosen to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The ceremony was attended by Andrew Parsons, president of the Brazilian Paralympic Committee.
After the opening festivities began the fight for medals. And on the very first day, Brazilian athletes won two golds: Renan Faria, 19, came first in the 100m (T13), while Priscila Melo, 18, won the 400 m (T11).
In wheelchair basketball, the Brazilian team beat Argentina 70 to 62. In seven-a-side football, Brazils first match was a wipe out: 12 to 0 against Mexico. Our team is fast. Theyve been slightly affected by the altitude, but we can improve even more, said team coach Dolvair Castelli.
