Tourism minister visits Croatian Paralympians

Minister of Sports and Tourism Tonči Glavina on Thursday visited Croatian Paralympic athletes participating in the 17th Summer Paralympic Games.

Minister Glavina visited the Paralympic Village the day after the official opening of the 17th Summer paralympic Games, wishing the best Croatian para-athletes success and luck.

"I am glad that I had the opportunity to visit the Croatian para-athletes at the Paralympic Village on behalf of the Prime Minister... We wanted to support them and wish them luck. These sports arenas, (the athletes') spirit, way of life, energy and mental strength impress us all," said the minister.

"It makes all of us who live in a much easier and simpler world than they think about what we have and how we live. They send the message that everything is possible and that they are winners, not only today and not only if they win medals, they are winners every day," he added.

The State Secretary for Sports at the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and former captain of the Croatian water polo team, Josip Pavić, as well as Member of Parliament Ljubica Lukačić accompanied Minister Glavina on the tour of the Paralympic Village.

"Every time I come to the Paralympic Games, I feel a sense of pride. The Paralympians are the elite of Croatian sports, I do not make a distinction between sport and para-sport. Today's para-sport is at the top level, and our para-athletes are role models for the whole society," Pavić said.

Croatian Paralympic Committee president Ratko Kovačić underscored that 22 athletes are defending Croatia's banner in six sports at the Paris Games.

"Croatian para-athletes regularly return with medals from major competitions, we hope they will do so again," said Kovačić.

(Hina/FaH)

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