Photo by GPO

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met today with members of Israel’s Paralympic delegation to the 2008 Beijing Paralympics.  The delegation included swimmers who recently returned from the world championships in South Africa with four medals and senior sports officials.

Prime Minister Olmert congratulated Israel’s 2008 Beijing Paralympics athletes and noted that, “Yours are the greatest achievements among Israeli athletes in any framework.  There is no doubt that you fill us with pride and great esteem.  I would like to congratulate you and all of our athletes who represent us as a sports superpower.  It is a pity that there is great interest and excitement in the places where you compete while here with us your achievements and efforts do not always receive appropriate prominence.”

Photo by GPO

Prime Minister Olmert thanked all the relevant organizations and said that, “It is worth our while to seriously consider a national plan to expand support for handicapped sports in a manner that befits their achievements.  Ours is a society that is attentive to people who are coping with difficulties.  We do not push them aside, we embrace them.  As a community, we must continue to do so.  I am certain that I will see you win more medals in Beijing.”