Georgia: The Georgian Paralympic Committee organized the swearing-in and sending-off ceremony of the Georgian Paralympic team, which was supported by the Georgian government and the Ministry of Sport and held at the Paris Paralympic Games.
World and European champion Irma Khetsuriani sworn in the name of para-athletes. Akaki Jincharadze, the current European champion, will guard the Georgian Paralympic Delegation.
The event was attended by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Speaker of the Parliament Shalva Papuashvili, Mayor of Tbilisi Kakhi Kaladze, First Deputy Minister of Culture and Sports Ioseb Bagaturia, President of the Paralympic Committee Rati Ionatamishvili and French Ambassador to Georgia Sheraz Gasri.
During his ceremony speech, the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, said that the Georgian government will give each Paralympic Games champion – 1,000,000 GEL, silver medalist – 500,000 GEL, and bronze medalist – 250,000 GEL.
The Georgian Paralympic Team will compete with 14 Paralympic athletes in six sports for the first time in history at the 17th Paralympic Games in Paris.
These are the sports disciplines our athletes will be competing in:
- Wheelchair shovels Irma Khetsuriani and Nina Tibilashvili;
- The champions Giorgi Ochkhikidze (Birtis Kvra) and Davit Kavtaradze (long jump);
- Parataekwondoists Ana Japaridze (-54 kg), Lia Chachibaia (-47 kg), Giorgi Nikoladze (-70 kg);
- Param shooter Vladimir Chincharauli (shot shooting in R4 and R5 categories at 10 meters and R9 category at 50 meters);
- Paradjudoists: Zurab Zurabiani (-60 kg), Giorgi Kaldani (-73 kg), Ina Kaldani (+70 kg), Lasha Kizilashvili (-90 kg), Revaz Chikoidze (+90 kg);
- Paratsolchimeli Akaki Jincharadze (+107 kg).
It is noteworthy that Georgian para taekwondo will compete for the first time at the Paralympic Games. Paris Summer Paralympic Games will be held from July 28 to August 11, 2024.
