Pope Francis wished good luck to everyone competing at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games during an audience with four Para athletes in St Peter’s Square. During his weekly audience in the Vatican City, the Pontiff met four athletes – two from hosts Brazil and two from Italy – to share his thoughts and excitement for the Paralympics which will feature 4,350 athletes from 165 countries.
The two athletes from Brazil were London 2012 wheelchair fencing gold medallist Jovane Guissone and Beijing 2008 equestrian athlete Sergio Olivia. Italy was represented by sprinter and two-timeLondon 2012 silver medallist Oxana Corso and Monica Contraffatto, a former soldier who will make her Paralympic debut next month in the 100m T42. During the audience, the athletes spoke to the Holy Father about how they believe their performances at Rio 2016 will lead to those watching the Paralympics to change their attitudes toward people with an impairment.
