On 7th September, 2016, billions of people all over the world will draw their attention to the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games™ Opening Ceremony that will take place at Maracanã Stadium. This Wednesday, 5 years before, the Organising Committee celebrated the important date with a special event carried out in its headquarter, at Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro. Paralympic medallists such as André Brasil (Swimming), Roseanne dos Santos and Yohansson do Nascimento (Athletics) talked about their victorious trajectory to a group of almost 100 young athletes from schools of Rio that are also Brazilian School Paralympic Games medallists.

Check out the video of the event.

Rio 2016™ Organising Committee and Brazilian Olympic Committee President, Carlos Arthur Nuzman, started the celebrations presenting the project of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“During the bid, we have chosen Brazil’s independence day as the date to start the Games, a special day. Brazil is a Paralympic power. It is already among the ten biggest ones and it wants to be among the five. Rio will have the best edition of Paralympic Games in terms of effect, as it has occurred with the Rio 2007 Parapan-American Games: crowded stadiums and an unforgettable experience for everyone”, says the President.

Then, Nuzman gave the floor to the journalist Flávia Cintra, who led a chat with the athletes. Flávia is a wheelchair user and was the inspiration for Manoel Carlos to create Luciana, character interpreted by Aline Moraes in the soap opera called Viver a Vida (Living the life). On the stage, Flávia, André, Roseanne and Yohansson were moved and relaxed, and passed on their knowledge to the attentive audience in the packed auditorium.

“We are all athletes, regardless of whether we are Olympic or Paralympic athletes. We all have dreams and go for them. We, who have had more experiences, can say that the important thing is to have a goal and to endeavour. It is within reach, even with all the difficulties. Everyone has problems. We have to believe. I believed in my talent, my family believed and the results happened due to all of us. Actually, the medals are an achievement of the Brazilian people”, said André Brasil, four gold medals and one silver medal in Swimming in Beijing 2008, who had poliomyelitis sequel.

Twice champion in Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games in the shot put and javelin, Roseanne dos Santos commented on the problems early after the amputation of her left leg. “Sometimes, people isolate themselves. I had my time of isolation, but I met other people who showed me how small my problems were. And the sport gives us that opportunity. Today, we are no longer the poor things. If you have a dream, you will have to go for it and give your best to achieve what you want. In my case, I have to sleep with the metal ball and with the discus (giggles). André has to sleep with his swimsuit.”

Finally, Yohansson do Nascimento told his experience on the track, in the 100m and 200m sprint, and how he sees the challenges of his disabilities. “I was born without both hands, but I can do everything. The only thing I could not do is the thing I haven’t tried to do yet. The problems come and it depends on how you will face them. For me, running is still a game. There are eight people there and we will see who is the one to arrive first”.

In order to highlight the countdown and the International Paralympic Day's eve, celebrated this Thursday, Rio 2016™ has launched also the My Paralympic picture cultural contest. Send photos that express what the Paralympic Movement means to you! You can send images of athletes and competitions. Entries will be accepted till 30 September and, as of 5 October, your photo can be on our website as one of the finalists. The result will be published on 7 November. The winning photos will be on our home page during a week, making part of this historical moment of the Paralympic Games. Take part!