Sidst rettet: 17. August 1996, 02:01
"Thank you, Bob Steadward for that introduction and for all of the work
the International Paralympic Committee has done. And thank you Andy
Fleming and the Atlanta Paralympic Organizing Committee for being such
terrific hosts for this historic event.
Two weeks ago this wonderful stadium and this whole city were brimming
with world-class athletes...screaming spectators...and achievements we
will never forget.
Tonight as we open the Paralympic Games for the very first time in the
United States, we tell the world..."you ain't seen nothing yet".
With this ceremony - with the Paralympic Games and the Third paralympic
Congress - we honor not only the athletes, but tremendous men and women
of uncommon courage and character. In their pursuit of excellence they
will show he world not just what an athlete can accomplish, but the very
potential of the human spirit.
And by so doing, hey train our eyes and focus our thoughts on the
following simple idea: all of us may have different abilities, but each
of us has the ability to transcend our own limitation and triumph -
whether on the playing field...in the classroom...at the workplace...or
in the spiritual challenges that define our lives.
In addition to the tests that any great athlete must endure, for these
Paralympians to compete, thay had to overcome what might have defeated
must of us.
To be able to participate in the high jump, they had to leap barriers
that must have looked impossible. For them to swim for gold medals, they
had to persevere when the tide was against them. Before they could bench
press a bar with heavy weights, they first had to push away ugly
stereotypes and obsolete assumptions and lift their lives with
exhilaration.
We know that this is only the beginning. Only with equal access can we
have true success.
We know - as President Clinton said so eloquently at a reception
ceremony at the White House last week - just as Paralympic torch was lit
by the eternal flame at the tomb of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we must
strive for the same ideals Dr. King did: unity and
opportunity...inclusion and respect.
And most of all, we know in our minds, in our hearts and in our souls
that through the example of these athletes, and through the example of
all those living with disabilities in the United States and throughout
the worls...disability does not discourage. Disability does not
disadvantage. And disability does not - and must never - disqualify.
So, om behalf of President Clinton and a proud nation eagerly awaiting
the Paralympics to begin:
I DECLARE OPEN THE GAMES OF ATLANTA"