Elaine Patricia Cruz – Reporter for Agência Brasil
On this sunny Saturday (30) in São Paulo, Mariana Prado, 28, and her niece Giulia, 9, decided to take a walk through Ibirapuera Park, in the capital of São Paulo. It was then that they came across a special structure: an arena with a big screen that was broadcasting live the games of the Paris Paralympics. Next to this screen, a parasports arena was set up, where both were able to experience what it’s like to practice a Paralympic sport.
The report of Brazil Agency found Mariana and Giulia sitting in wheelchairs, trying to shoot a ball into the basket, in the sport called wheelchair basketball. “It’s a very difficult sport, but my niece is scoring a lot of points. She’s very good and I’m terrible.” [nesse esporte]”, joked the aunt. “This space here is brilliant and an incentive for us to learn about sports and pay more attention to the Paralympics. We always try to put it [a sobrinha] to learn about sports. And bringing her into this reality, which is not so common, is brilliant,” said the aunt.
Paralympic Arena set up in Ibirapuera Park with a big screen and sports courts. Photo: Paulo Pinto/Agency Brazil
Giulia, who had never sat in a wheelchair before and had never even played the sport, said she loved the experience and said that her biggest difficulty in wheelchair basketball was scoring a goal. In the end, she found it “easier than she imagined.”
The Events Arena was set up in front of the Planetarium and behind the Afro Brazil Museum and will be open from today (31) to tomorrow (September 1). The idea was created by Braskem, sponsor of the Brazilian Paralympic Committee (CPB), and Urbia, the park’s concessionaire. All activities are free and run from 9 am to 5 pm. In addition, the venue is expected to receive the presence of some Paralympic athletes.
According to Ana Laura Sivieri, Braskem’s director of marketing and corporate communications, the structure was set up with the aim of “helping Brazilian fans see the beauty and power of the Paralympics and so they can cheer for our athletes”. The idea of holding it at Ibirapuera was also an opportunity to celebrate the park’s 70th anniversary. “We are celebrating 70 years [do parque] this month. So we bring the two things together: the park’s anniversary and the Paralympics,” he said.
“We are providing the opportunity for park visitors to enter this space free of charge, watch the games and even participate in the Paralympic arena, having experiences such as playing wheelchair basketball, blind football and other activities. It will be a day of fun, interaction and encouragement for everyone to watch and follow our athletes, who have already won several medals,” added the Braskem director.
Physical education professional Everaldo Ferraz, 29, who works with people with intellectual and physical disabilities, was surprised by the space. “I arrived here in Ibirapuera today and saw the arena. Since I had already worked in the area, it sparked my curiosity,” he said. He revealed that he was there, in the arena, with two autistic children.
“They really enjoyed the space. And it was important to bring them the perspective of adapted sports, now with the Paralympics as the theme. This space here brings knowledge to the general population, who often have no idea how difficult adapted sports are. It is important for us to value this even more,” he said.
“The Paralympics are an event that empowers and showcases our athletes to the world – and Brazil is a reference in this regard. In the last Olympics, we broke the record, winning 72 medals. Despite the lack of structure, Brazil is a reference, with warrior athletes,” he emphasized.
Teacher Lilian Espindola, 53, also discovered the space by chance. “I came here for a walk in Ibirapuera Park and came across this structure and was curious to come and see it,” she said. During her visit, she took the opportunity to play blind football. “And I’m already in line for table tennis.” [em cadeira de rodas]”, he joked.
“They [monitores] They blindfolded me and initially trained us to familiarize ourselves with the sound of the ball. But it is very difficult and complicated to be in an environment you are not familiar with, to know the limits and where you are. And then you have to find the ball and kick it towards the goal. It is very complicated. But I thought the experience was great,” said the teacher. “I think that Paralympic sports should be much more supported and much more publicized. Unfortunately, we only have the main games on open TV. The Paralympics receive little media coverage. I believe that they should be more publicized,” suggested Lilian.
