Paris and France deserve our heartfelt congratulations and thanks for a superb Paralympic Games.

I have attended many competitions, had many meetings, participated in victory ceremonies, attended events organized by the continents and countries participating in the Games. Of course, the impressions will remain with me forever.

Our work schedule here in Paris as usual starts early in the morning and ends late at night. Fatigue is always present and should overtake us. But no, nothing of the sort is happening as we witness in every venue, in every sport the triumph of human spirit.

And the French support or should I say noise – the gold medal of any past Games – wonderful, total madness.

Every athlete regardless of the result gives their ALL – there is no just being there – they leave it ALL out there on the court, on the track or the pool.

My first interest is IBSA sports in which our blind and visually impaired athletes perform, goalball, blind football and judo. But what amazing results from our athletes in swimming and athletics. It is fantastic and gives me the incentive to provide high level opportunities in those sports and for individuals from under-represented countries around the IBSA world.

But I will not single out anyone. We are one Paralympic family. I am grateful to the athletes, their coaches, volunteers and organizers of the games, all the leaders of Paralympic sports.

Team! Together you have created the most exciting of experiences and locked into the minds of France that the miracle of change from what they’ve seen is your legacy gift.

To steal the saying of 9
one of my Paralympic heros – you ALWAYS excite and inspire the world.

A huge thank you to Paris 2024 and all of you from the bottom of my heart.