German Embassy London – LONDON 2012 – PARALYMPICS – Federal President Gauck: „The Paralympic athletes inspire anybody who faces adversity“

Ambassador Boomgaarden with members of the Paralympic Youth Camp (© German Embassy London) On the evening of Thursday, August 30, Minister of the Interior Dr. Hans-Peter Friedrich and Ambassador Georg Boomgaarden  hosted a reception at the German House in the Museum of London Docklands in honour of the German Paralympic Team. They were joined by the guests of honour, Federal President Joachim Gauck – and of course the attending Paralympic athletes who were welcomed with great cheer.

The event, which also marked the opening of the German House during the Paralympic Games 2012, was also attended by Germany's leading sport dignitaries, including members of the German Parliamentary Committee for Sports and the Presidents of the German Olympic and Paralympic Committees, Thomas Bach and Friedhelm Julius Beucher.

In his moving speech, Federal President Gauck said that the Paralympic athletes should inspire anybody who faces adversity: "Despite their difficult fates, these young athletes have achieved incredible things. We all face burden in life. Instead of giving up, we should follow their example and make the most out of our lives". And while claiming that "sports should not always be about winning medals", he encouraged the audience to enjoy competitions because they help to deal with anger and frustration in a positive way. The Federal President also thanked the German media for extending their coverage of the Paralympic Games and giving the athletes the recognition they deserve.

In his speech, Minister Friedrich assured his listeners that the Federal Government was committed to continue its support of disability sports. He hoped that the Games will – as their motto says – "inspire a whole generation". And as the good news of German medals on the first day of competition kept coming in, the Minister expressed his pride in the achievements of the German Paralympic team.

One of the successful athletes – Manuela Schmermund who won a silver medal in air rifle shooting – joined the Minister in wishing for a lasting effect of the Games. She stressed in particular that disability sports should no longer be treated as a different kind of sports since Paralympic athletes train just as all other athletes.

 

Paralympics Reception

 

Impressions of the Paralympic Reception in the German House

Federal President Joachim Gauck with Paralympic silver medalist Manuela Schmermund and the President of the German Paralympic Committee, Friedhelm Julius Beucher.

 

Ambassador Boomgaarden and guests on the podium

 

Ambassador Boomgaarden, Federal Minister of the Interior Friedrich and Federal President Gauck

 

Numerous Paralympic athletes attended the reception.

 

Members of the Paralympic Youth Camp

 

Ambassador Boomgaarden with members of the Paralympic Youth Camp

 

Federal Minister of the Interior Friedrich, Ambassador Boomgaarden and the President of the German Paralympic Committee,Julius Beucher.

 

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© German Embassy London

 

Source:  German Embassy London