ROME- The annual 2024 Foreign Press Sports Award was presented Tuesday at Palazzo Grazioli, Rome. Simone Barlam was awarded the Best Paralympic Athlete Award and Manuel Bortuzzo was awarded the 'Special Award' by the Foreign Press Sports Committee, which is formed by Alba Kepi, Dündar Kesapli, Elizabeth Missland, Maarten van Aalderen and Baris Seckin.

 Present at the award ceremony were the Minister for Sport and Youth, Andrea Abodi and Francesco Bonanni, Technical Coordinator of the Paralympic swimming sector of the Fiamme Oro State Police sports group.

 "I’d like to thank the foreign press association, which, with so much passion, not only is able to represent the world, identify and evaluate sporting performances but also is able to recognise the human sensitivity and behaviors that always accompany sporting performances. We believe in the value of sport, in its cultural and educational function. Sports gestures are not only performance-related but also an acceleration of sports literacy. Thank you all for the visibility you give Italy on the world stage. We believe so much in the value of sports and we repeat this not to be monotonous, but because what we say is always our conviction", Abodi said.

 “I thank the athletes for their commitment, which goes beyond just the circumstances of life. Sport trains us to develop the desire for redemption and to feel a part of a society that, in order be inclusive, must offer opportunities", added Abodi, underlining how "athletes are already thinking about the very first World Championships, Olympics, Paralympics, perhaps some summer athletes could also find a place among winter sports.”

 "It is a great honor to be here and also in the presence of Minister Abodi” added Barlaam, winner of three golds and a silver at the Paris Olympics.

 “It is nice to see that so many Institutions are present. It is nice to see the human side [of sport]. Athletes and politicians are often seen as people from outside of our own world, but it is reassuring to know that what they have done has left its mark. Many have discovered us also thanks to the incredible work that Rai has done, broadcasting the Paralympics. we hope to continue like this and that our world continues to grow. On September 21st in Singapore we will have the World Championships, let's think about that now. I would advise the other most followed sports to open their doors, their minds and their hearts to the Paralympic world. Today, I’d also like to thank the military sports groups. We are on the same level as Olympic athletes".

 While Manuel Bortuzzo, bronze medal winner at the Paris Paralympics, underlined how it is "a responsibility and an immense pleasure to represent [his country] in the homes of Italians and the children who dream of a better future for them.

 What we do in practice changes people's lives. Now children dream of the Olympics and the Paralympics.

 It is lovely to have this responsibility [of representation], which is not limited to just our country.

 In the world there are enough bad things and carrying forward good opportunities will always be a good thing".

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