Sports with no limits and prejudice

In November 2023, the Chilean capital Santiago will become a sports Mecca for athletes from the Americas for a few weeks. Santiago previously hosted the 2014 South American Paralympic Games.

The modern sport continues to be one of the platforms of professional and social life that erases limits. The Olympic and Paralympic movements change people's perceptions and the lives of athletes with physical disabilities. One of its members, Margarita Gorbunova, was born almost completely blind and represented Canada at the Vancouver and Sochi Paralympic Games in 2010 and 2014.

The Pan-American Games and the Parapan-American Games are the largest sports events that unite the two American continents. Every four years, following years of preparation and professional growth, the most prepared athletes from both Americas compete for the most desirable medals for several weeks.

In 2015 the Games were held in Toronto. At that time, 1,608 athletes representing 28 National Paralympic Committees of North and South America, took part. A total of 445 competitions were held in 15 sports, being qualifying competitions for the 2016 Summer Paralympics held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

For the first time, wheelchair rugby competitions were held. And after an absence at the 2011 Para American Games, the 7-a-side football returned to the Games. Canada then finished second overall in the medal standings, Brazil finished first. Maple Leaf athletes won 50 gold, 63 silver, and 55 bronze medals. All in all, 168 medals.

During the closing ceremony, American Paralympic Committee President Jose Luis Campo thanked Toronto-2015, calling it "the best Para American Games ever."

"Over the last eight days, more than 1,600 incredible Para athletes have redefined how we look at the sport. You have entertained us with your high-level performances and shown that life is about maximizing ability and not perceived disability,” he said.