“I am very excited and I think that Paris 2024 will be spectacular for everyone and especially for the supporters and specatators.

Sara Alvarez (ESP)

Para-judo has changed a lot in the last three years, in a very short time. There were already many changes before, but since Tokyo in 2021, the development has been incredible. Paris will therefore be the peak where we will bear the fruit of the hard word that has been done. I am really looking forward to it and I will be thrilled to watch all the athletes trying to get a medal.

You know, I started working with para-judo a few years ago and at that time I knew nothing about it, just what I had seen on TV. I also had some colleagues who were involved with para-judo but that was it.

I started to be involved as an IJF sport commissioner, during an IJF-IBSA joined event. When I arrived for the first time, I was expecting things to be really different from what I knew but I realised quickly that it was not the case and that para-judo was as professional as sighted judo, especially when considering the preparation of the athletes and the work of the coaches.

Today para-judo has become my biggest sport challenge and to keep working with the IJF and to receive such huge support from them helps a lot.

We do all we can for the athletes because our goal is to reach the international standard at all levels. I am more than committed to that goal. What is incredible is to meet the para-athletes, to come to know their stories and their difficulties and to see how they overcome them.

Every single athlete is a champion, even before they arrive at an event. I know that they had to face hardship and challenges and each one has their own but they are here and this is amazing.

Thinking about Paris 2024, I am very optimistic about the results because I know the changes that were made over these last 3 years have been very positive, like the J1 and J2 categories.

The level of J1 athletes has improved so much and Paris will be the best stage ever to show that. I can tell you that they are top athletes. Paris will give them the opportunity to show that they are the best competitors you can imagine. It is their opportunity to show to the world the huge talent they have.

We are on the way, step by step, to improving even more. Together with the IJF and in collaboration with local organisers, we have been working really hard. Sometimes it is challenging but we are on the way. I am happy, more than happy about it.”