THE SUMMER GAMES FOR PARA ATHLETES "WE ARE TOGETHER. SPORT" ARE OFFICIALLY OPENED IN SOCHI

On October 4 an opening ceremony of the International Games for Para Athletes "We are together. Sport" was held. It took place in the Sports Hall of the martial arts center of the Federal Sports Base of the Ministry of Sports of the Russian Federation "Yug Sport".

The Ceremony began with the parade of flags of the participating countries and teams of the subjects of the Russian Federation. In the Games the teams from 10 foreign countries and 78 subjects of our country will take part.

Opening the ceremony, the Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation Igor Levitin read out the President's welcome address to the participants, organizers and guests of the competitions.

"Dear friends!

I welcome the participants, organizers and guests of the International Integrated Sport Games "Summer Games for Para Athletes "We are together. Sport".

I think that holding these games, which are unique in their scale and inspirational power, is a significant and necessary initiative, which is aimed at making a great and creative contribution to the development of Paralympic sport and promotion of its unshakable ideals and values. This year's competition will unite the best athletes from Russia and other countries and give them a great opportunity to demonstrate their talent, skills, strength of mind and character. And of course, the participants of the Games will be able to fully enjoy the support of the fans.

I am sure that the Summer Games for Para Athletes "We are together. Sport" will be held in an atmosphere of friendship, mutual understanding and respect, and will be a bright holiday for all.

I wish you the kindest, most memorable experiences and all the best.

Vladimir Putin.

After the President's address the official ceremony of carrying out the State Flag of the Russian Federation took place. The honorary mission was performed by Valeria Shabalina, 3-time champion of the Paralympic Games in swimming, Dmitry Safronov, 2-time champion of the Paralympic Games in athletics, Zaurbek Pagaev, champion of the Paralympic Games in CP Football and Anton Kulyatin, champion of the Paralympic Games in athletics.

The Minister of Sports of the Russian Federation Oleg Matytsin gave a welcoming speech.

"I would like to thank the organizers, it is the most important competition for adaptive sports. Today the whole world is going through a difficult time and as never before we need to be together. And sport is the thing that always helps to overcome any difficulties. And our Paralympians show their courage and love for life and their homeland. The most important thing is that we are together. I hope sport will always be an ambassador for peace. I would like to express my gratitude to the Russian Paralympic Committee and all the Paralympic Federations for your work. "We are together" is the symbolic name we gave to the event", - said Oleg Matytsin.

RPC President Pavel Rozhkov noted in his welcoming address:

"The International Summer Games for Para Athletes "We are together. Sport" are the largest and most important competitions of this year, held as part of the sports calendar of Russia.

Teams from 78 regions of the Russian Federation and 10 foreign countries participate. The total number of the participants is 1200 athletes.

Among the participants and guests there are about 70 champions of Paralympic Games and World Championships.

Then in his speech the RPC Head thanked the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin for his support of the Paralympic movement in Russia.

"After the national team's exclusion from the Paralympic Games in Beijing, the Government of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Sports of the Russian Federation and the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Region's leadership held the Winter Games for Para Athletes "We are together. Sports". Now, Sochi is hosting the largest international competition - the Summer Games for Para Athletes! Thanks to the Head of State for the sent greetings to the participants of the Games!" - he said.

At the same time Pavel Rozhkov expressed his gratitude to the heads of subjects of the Russian Federation, who sent their teams for participation in the Games, to foreign guests for their consent to take part in the Games, to the Ministry of Sports of the Russian Federation for joint efforts in organizing the Games and to all partners for their invaluable assistance.