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By Maria Spiliopoulou
ATHENS, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Greece's Paralympians returned home on Tuesday with 13 medals in their bags from the Rio Games. With goals set fulfilled, they face the future with more optimism they said upon their arrival at the Athens international airport.
All 60 paralympic athletes were welcomed as heroes by Deputy Sports Minister Stavros Kontonis and other officials, their families, friends and fans, regardless of their rankings.
They all made the impossible possible, overcoming physical restraints and financial obstacles to take part in the Games representing debt laden Greece, those who stood by their side commented.
In late August before the team departed for Brazil, the President of the Hellenic Paralympic Committee George Fountoulakis had expressed confidence in the strength of the Greek para athletes. He had forecasted that they could reach London's collection when Greece had won 12 medals.
The team collected 13 medals, including five golds, making Greek people proud and proving that all difficulties inside and outside athletic fields can be overcome.
"Love, mutual understanding and solidarity are connecting them. These are elements our society currently needs. They give us a first lesson: united we can win," Kontonis said addressing the welcome ceremony held at the Athens airport.
"You, the athletes, and your achievements are inspiring. You offer us important lessons on life through sports. Your confidence in your abilities and your determination to overcome difficulties inspire all of us to follow our dreams," added Kamil Ziegler, the President of OPAP, Greece's betting firm which is the major sponsor of the Hellenic Paralympic Committee.
OPAP will continue to support the Greek par athletes on the path to the next Games in Tokyo, it was announced during Tuesday's event.
"We will try harder at the Tokyo Games and we believe we can achieve greater successes. It is very significant and pleasant that you will stand by our side also in the next four years. Otherwise we will not be able to do anything. And I would like to ask the state to also stand by our side, because we can do nothing without your support," Thanassis Konstantinidis, the team's flag bearer in the closing ceremony of the Rio Games, said.
The best acknowledgement of their feat would be if the state would do more from now on to facilitate the everyday lives of people with disabilities, para athletes stressed.
Funds can be found even in an ailing economy, through sponsors, they noted. What is always more important to change is mentality, they said, expressing contentment that Greek society in recent years is embracing the disabled.
Pavlos Mamalos, a 45-year-old so-called gentle giant who won the gold in the 107 kilos category of power lifting, was a victim of bullying at school by classmates due to his disability, he has revealed.
He was forced to abandon high school and returned to the class ten years ago. He is unemployed living on social benefits, but never gave up the fight and hope for a better future for him and other people with disabilities, like Panagiotis, a child who travelled to Rio on sponsors' expenses, to support the team.
"I want to congratulate Manolis, Pavlos and all the athletes who brought so many medals. Thank you. Our motto is nothing is impossible. Everything is possible. Thank you," Panagiotis said, receiving a warm applause. Enditem
