Ceremony Held to See off Georgian Athletes to Rio Paralympics

The ceremony to see off Georgian athletes to the Rio Paralympics was held at Tbilisi Para Sport Development Center at which Sports Minister Tariel Khechikashvili, Tbilisi Mayor Davit Narmania and BP General Manager to Georgia Chris Schlueter met with the athletes and wished them success.

The first flow of Georgian Para-athletes departed for Brazil on September 1, at 03:35 AM in order to take part in the Paralympics which will begin on September 7.

Five Georgian Para-sportsmen received licenses for the Games this year: Zviad Gogochuri - Judo, Vano Tsiklauri - Archery, Akaki Jincharadze - powerlifting, Irma Khetsuriani - wheelchair fencing and Lia Chachibaia - swimming.

Mayor Narmania said conditions for Para-athletes are improving, while Minister Khechikashvili said the team has a very positive outlook.

The Para-athletes are participating in the Rio Paralympics through the support of BP. The company has been an official partner of Georgia’s National Paralympics Committee since 2012 and seeks to promote the Paralympic movement in Georgia.

“I would like to express deep respect on behalf of BP towards each athlete and trainer,” Schlueter said at the ceremony. “They have done their best to take part in the Games and have gained the licenses they deserved. We are glad to see Georgian sportsmen heading to Rio. It is very important that Georgian Para-athletes take part in such a large-scale competition and we will watch their performance in the world arena with great interest.”

The first competition between those with disabilities was held in 1960 following the close of the Rome Olympics.