The Paralympic Games is a space for enjoyment, emotion and reflection. The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games begin this Wednesday, August 28 and end on September 8, and they will reflect the spirit of overcoming the obstacles that life -off the field- has put in their way in relation to other people. It is the ‘yes, we can’ elevated to the maximum power. Each Paralympic athlete is a huge mirror in which we can see reflected how to improve ourselves day by day.

[The vocabulary for the 2024 Paralympic Games that you should know]

Sport has in the Paralympic Games a point of inspiration for illustrious athletes and politicians, who have captured a famous phrase over time to reflect the Paralympic spirit from their own point of view. In SportsIn we rescue 12 comments that define the meaning of each Paralympic event:

“The Paralympic spirit is about excellence, friendship and respect; not about what you can’t do, but what you do incredibly well.”
– Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee.

“The Paralympic Games are not about disability, they are about human ability.”
– Philip Craven, former president of the International Paralympic Committee.

“The important thing is not to win, but to fight well.”
– Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Games, a phrase that also applies profoundly to the Paralympic Games.

“These athletes show us that there is no limit to what can be achieved when courage and determination are greater than any obstacle.”
– Barack Obama, former President of the United States, in reference to the Paralympics.

“It’s not about being the best disabled, it’s about being the best.”
– Tanni Grey-Thompson, British Paralympic medalist in athletics.

“The Paralympic Games are a shining example of what can be achieved with determination and courage.”
– Sebastian Coe, chairman of the London 2012 Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and current president of World Athletics.

“What to the common eye may seem impossible, to us is simply another challenge.”
– Sarah Storey, multiple medal-winning British Paralympic cyclist.

“The Paralympic spirit is a spark of hope that ignites the flame of possibility in each of us.”
– Ade Adepitan, wheelchair basketball player.

“Disability doesn’t define you; what defines you is how you overcome life’s challenges.”
– Jim Abbott, former professional baseball pitcher who played without a hand.

“My life is richer and more fulfilling because of sports, and I want more people to have that opportunity.”
– Ellie Simmonds, British Paralympic swimmer.

“It’s not about what you can’t do, it’s about what you can achieve.”
– Oscar Pistorius, South African Paralympic athlete.

“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire, to unite people as few things do.”
– Nelson Mandela, in reference to the transformative power of sport, including Paralympics.