Georgia: Based on the joint presentation of Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and Speaker of the Georgian Parliament Shalva Papuashvili, Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili presented prestigious state awards, such as the Order of Honor and the Medal of Courage, to members of the National Paralympic Team, Paris 2024 medalists, committee delegation, coaches and doctors.
It was particularly important for us when, on the initiative of the President of the Committee, the Georgian Prime Minister and the Speaker of the Parliament addressed President Irma Khetsuriani about the generation of awarding the prestigious King Tamar Order. This order, named after the revered Queen Tamar of Georgia, is a symbol of exceptional achievement and service. Irma is the star of the world Paralympic sport, our national brand, and the most titled Georgian para-athlete, whose merits are invaluable in developing Georgian Paralympic sports.
It is worth noting that, back in 2020, in the process of enacting a new law on the rights of persons with disabilities, which included provisions for equalizing the status of the Paralympic Committee with the Olympic Committee, strengthening the support of the movement, increasing funding for the training process of athletes and the implementation of new programs, we have seen significant improvements. These changes ultimately led to our delegation —creating the appropriate basis for Paris Summer XVII To achieve historical results at the Paralympic Games.
Equalizing the awards of Olympians and Paralympic athletes and conducting Paralympic farewell, oath-taking, and welcoming ceremonies at the highest level is a solid message to ensure an equal environment for athletes and people with disabilities.
With the preparations for the XVIII Summer Paralympic Games already underway, we can look forward to our star team bringing joy and pride to our country and fans with their exceptional performances. The anticipation for their success is palpable, and we are all eagerly awaiting the games.
