Pope Francis met Para athletes and shared a message of good luck on Wednesday (24 August), with just two weeks to go until the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, 

During his weekly audience in St Peter’s Square in Rome, the Pontiff met four Para athletes – two from host country Brazil and two from Italy – to share his enthisiasm for the Games, which will feature 4,350 athletes from 165 countries.

“I particularly wish to greet the members of the International Paralympic Committee and the athletes who are getting ready to celebrate the next Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro,” Pope Francis said.

The two athletes from Brazil were London 2012 wheelchair fencing gold medallist Jovane Guissone and Beijing 2008 equestrian athlete Sergio Olivia. Italy was represented by sprinter and two-time London 2012 silver medallist Oxana Corso and Monica Contraffatto, a former soldier who will make her Paralympic debut next month in the 100m.

Memorable moment

“It was a great moment that I’ll never forget,” said Jovane Guissone, who is looking to defend his men’s fencing title in Rio. “The Pope gave us his blessing, wished us good luck in the Paralympic Games and asked us to pray for the victims of the earthquake in Italy.

“I gave him a jacket of the Brazilian delegation. When he came in our direction I could hardly believe I was actually there.”

During the audience, the athletes spoke to the Pope about how they believe their performances at Rio 2016 will lead to those watching the Paralympic Games to change their attitudes toward people with an impairment.

The Rio 2016 Paralympic Games will take place between 7-18 September and will be broadcast to an estimated cumulative TV audience of more than four billion people in over 100 countries.

Rio is ready to welcome the athletes for more Games action (Photo: Getty Images/Buda Mendes)   

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