NOT LOSING THE ZEST FOR LIFE

Five-time world champion for wheelchair basketball and Paralympic swimming, president of the International Paralympic Committee Sir Philip Craven visited Baku to attend the twentieth anniversary celebrations for the National Paralympic Committee of Azerbaijan. He was accompanied by the honorary vice president of the Paralympic Association of Great Britain, Athony Sainsbury. 

National Paralympic Committee president Ilqar Rahimov thanked Sir Philip Craven and Anthony Sainsbury for their agreeing to take part in the celebrations. Rahimov gave the guests a wide array of information on work to develop the Paralympic movement in Azerbaijan. 

Sir Philip Craven congratulated the members of the National Paralympic Committee of Azerbaijan with their twentieth anniversary and expressed his best wishes. The meeting saw discussion on further cooperation between the International Paralympic Committee and the National Paralympic Committee of Azerbaijan.

Before his departure Sir Philip Craven gave R+ an interview in which he spoke about the development of the Paralympics movement worldwide. 

What do you think of the state of the Paralympic movement in Azerbaijan? 

The development of the National Paralympic Committee of Azerbaijan is a great thing. It is important in itself because of the medals, as well as the excellent opportunity it gives disabled athletes to prove themselves, to feel like worthy members of society. Additionally, with the help of this committee children also have an opportunity to prove themselves. The first international competitions for young disabled athletes were organized in Azerbaijan. 

This year the National Paralympic Committee will turn twenty. You would most likely agree that in such a short time much work has been done.

I must note the attention given to this field by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. The Paralympic movement in your country developed thanks to his concern in particular. Despite the National Paralympic Committee of Azerbaijan being only twenty years old, it has given birth to great hopes while also expanding its activity. That could not help but excite me. Essentially the medals won by Paralympians, the entire activity of the National Paralympic Committee are part of our committee's work. At the same time another, no less important direction in our work is activity that, through sport, is more inclusive and covers all of society. What I like most about the work of the National Paralympic Committee of Azerbaijan is that the committee considers both avenues to be equally valuable, equally important, and at the same time works closely with the government. Undoubtedly this cooperation is extremely important to the committee itself and to the Paralympic movement. 

The Paralympic movement in our country is known for its many famous athletes. The leader of our national team, judo fighter Ilham Zakiyev has won many memorable victories. What do you think of the results our athletes have achieved?

First of all, I would like to say that your success will continue for a long time. I have been told about the number of licenses to the Paralympic Games in Rio won by Azerbaijan. I believe that you will also have many awards in Brazil as well. The inclusion of the Paralympics in the programme of the European Games in Baku gave us a tremendous sense of pride. I would like to thank President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva for that. In Azerbaijan athletes truly appreciate the concern shown for them. You mentioned Ilham Zakiyev. He is a wonderful person and worthy athlete. I am thrilled by his perseverance. He has been a Paralympic champion twice. He keeps winning the title of European and world champion. Ilham is a great example to many. Athletes like Ilham Zakiyev give hope to people suffering from health problems. He proves that a person can keep fighting. 

Azerbaijan organized the first Paralympic competition for children. Can we expect to see any official tournament for children?

We have a lot of plans. It's imply that a little time is needed. Financing is also needed to make any idea a reality. At the moment all our attention is focused on the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Ilham Zakiyev has a dream. He always says that he wants Paralympians to compete with regular athletes. In other words, for no distinctions to be made between them.

Usually the Paralympics begin after the Olympics. We cannot make distinctions. We try to not let our representative feel that these differences exist. Competing alongside regular athletes is possible. We need to think about the technical aspects of this. I am curious as to the attitude of the International Olympic Committee. How will they respond to this? At the moment it's hard to make a particular judgment on the issue. 

The Paralympic movement has given many a new lease on life. Could you tell us about the origin of this idea?

The International Paralympic Committee was created in 1989. The German city of Bonne is considered to be its centre. That is to say, our headquarters are there. The idea of creating the committee was put forward by several federations. People with health problems should not lose their zest for life. Our main idea is to not let these people be isolated from society. The world is full of examples of disabled people who have made great achievements in sport. In doing so they made their friends and families very happy. We have to give them a helping hand. In the Paralympic movement, sport is a great force. 

We got disabled athletes to be represented in the Olympic movement. That is a tremendous success. Now we need to develop this avenue further. 

Can we expect an increase in the number of Paralympic sports in the future?

Increasing the number of sports at the Summer Paralympic Games is somewhat difficult, although much interest is shown in the issue. However, at the Winter Paralympic Games doing so is completely possible. And it happens often. At the same time we must keep abreast of the times and consider the financial requirements. It's possible that in year new sports will be introduced, and some will be struck from the list. We must approach the issue openly and from all possible angles. Two sports have been introduced into the programme of Rio 2016 - para-canoeing and the para-triathlon. And for the next Summer Paralympic Games in 2020 in Tokyo we are considering para-badminton and para-tae kwon do.