When an obstacle appears in the way, they spread their wings looking for the favorable wind to glide towards their dreams.. Making the impossible possible. This metaphor was the backbone of the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Paralympic Games and now gives its name to the meeting ‘We have wings, Paralympic athletes for history’, sponsored by Liberty Seguros, where some of its protagonists review that experience, such as the president of the Spanish Paralympic Committee, Miguel Carballeda; medal winning cyclists, Ricardo Ten and Alfonso Cabello; the barbell and paralympic diploma, Loida Zabala and the head of sustainability of Liberty in Europe, Cristina Saraiva.
Spain brought 36 medals in its suitcase – five more than in Rio – and many dreams come true. Some unexpected. “The balance is positive. On the way back, we were surprised to see how the Games have been most followed in the world and in Spain“Says Carballeda, also satisfied by the message conveyed when carrying out an appointment like this in times of COVID:” The pandemic has made us reflect on our ability to be capable and to go together towards a better future. ” Our athletes have experienced a few Games, but none like these. “We arrived with the uncertainty of whether they would be celebrated and there we have lacked hugs. Already in Beijing I noticed that there were two types of people, those who recorded everything so as not to forget anything and those who cried. I was a bit shocked, ”confesses Loida.
His cycling buddies were based in Izu, about 150 kilometers from Tokyo. “We had very restricted movements and they placed us in a resort enabled as Villa Satellite. They have been different Games, but very special ”, says Alfonso, winner of a gold and a bronze. It was precisely this last metal that he conquered by teaming up with Ricardo Ten. “After having gone to five Games as a swimmer, going to a sixth in a new discipline and as a flagger, it was a dream. The lack of an audience took away his warmth. We didn’t have that impressive feeling of stepping out of the tunnel and seeing the crowded stadium, but it was either that or no celebration. Security measures should prevail and set an example that mass events could be held, ”explains the Valencian.
All of them perfectly embody those values for which Liberty has accompanied the CPE since 2007. “We have taken several actions to give visibility to disability. We are proud of the Athletics Paralympic Young Promises Team, created nine years ago. A group of about ten athletes, from 15 to 19 years old, whom we accompany with training plans, specialization … At this moment, we are already preparing future talents who will participate in Paris 2024 or Los Angeles 2028”, Explains Cristina. To which Carballeda adds: “They make our athletes can fulfill their dreams. We are fortunate to have you as travel companions”. In addition, the Chairman of the Committee sees collaboration between public and private matters as fundamental: “We had the response of the Administration with a larger budget for Tokyo and the commitment of all our companies, despite the fact that the times were not the best.”
Thanks to these promising teams, generational change is ensured and the first steps of the new generations are facilitated. More difficult were the beginnings of our protagonists. “To buy my first material I had to ask for a loan. It was a risky decision, but it was what I wanted to do. Liberty offered me the project ‘They come out’ and thanks to that I got rid of the debt. We have done great things together, like the video clip of the Langui”Recalls the barbell. The beginnings of the Cordovan cyclist were not easy either: “I started 14 or 15 years ago and there was no facility, at least for people who lived far from the big cities. The work of the sponsors is essential, providing financial means, infrastructure, personnel … so that people with disabilities can practice sports and who knows if they will become the Paralympic champions of tomorrow. I hope this work continues and young people can have it easier than me”.
When Ricardo immersed himself in Paralympic sport, it was the early 90’s. The hardest yet. “I discovered it through an article in the Press. At first, it was amateur, the ADOP Plan had not been created. That was unthinkable when I started. I am happy to see how everything has evolved and transmitting to the youngest, who did not know that phase, that they value what they have”, He argues.
An important step is that of visibility. Society has greater knowledge and recognition of our athletes. For sample, Tokyo. “There has been an incredible change. In fact, I started to notice it from London 2012“, Wields Loida, to which Carballeda adds:”The athletes tell me that they stop training on the road, overtake them, applaud them, sometimes calling them by their names. That had never happened before. When Alberto Jofre (managing director of the CPE) and Luis Leardy (press officer) competed in swimming they had to return the tracksuit after the Games. We have managed to change things. The effort of our athletes deserves it ”. Alfonso has also experienced it in the first person and points to the cause of such extraordinary consequence: “The values linked to the Paralympic movement are unique and the mirror where anyone, with or without disabilities, must look at themselves. We convey a message of overcoming, perseverance, sacrifice and high performance. We continue to advance in the search for equality ”. His partner Ricardo shares that message: “When I started I was followed by family, friends and little else. Now it’s nice that they stop you on the street or want to take a picture with you. We have had to overcome some barrier and that is important for society, so that they see that if we could, they can too ”.
That diversity is one of the great bets of Liberty. “This year we created our first DEI committee (diversity, equity and inclusion), made up of about twenty employees, working on four issues: gender, cultural difference, LGBTQ and disability. There have already been twelve actions and, within them, there are events like the Liberty Race”Cristina announces. Another of the great goals to achieve is equality. “We want to be simply one more in society and sometimes that is so difficult … We must achieve it together. Our athletes try to set an example for a country that is going through a time of difficulties, but has the capacity to overcome them “, Carballeda sentence, who warns that Paris can become a key event:”The Administration, committed, has already told us that it will recognize the medals with economic equality to the Olympians and Paralympians. It already happens in several countries and Spain is making progress in that ”.
The countdown to the next Games has already started and each athlete looks at them in their own way. “They can be the first my family attends”, dreams Loida, who in a month faces the World Cup. “Wanting to improve every day this time will pass in a sigh”, Alfonso believes. Ricardo, who will be 49 years old by then, is cautious: “Age begins to be a handicap. Although, since I changed discipline in Rio, I have constantly evolved. I can continue to do it, but I don’t know if it will be enough to qualify me ”.
Looking ahead, each of the speakers makes a wish. “There are solidarity and responsible companies. There is the key. From the Paralympic world we will continue to set an example”Carballeda starts. “We want to continue evolving towards sport without adjectives and we are close. Getting to see him would be something very big ”, Ricardo is excited. So does the barbell, with her most personal project: “A year ago we created the Loida Zabala Foundation. We are taking patients out of the National Hospital of Paraplegics of Toledo and they train hard”. Sport gives Alfonso life: “It is a means of achieving happiness. I’ll go to Paris for medals”. And in the case of Liberty one word defines it. “Sustainability Hopefully our actions can have an impact on society”, Concludes Cristina.
The Liberty Race will be virtual and will start on December 3
The fourteenth edition of the Liberty Race will be held, virtually, from Friday 3 (International Day of Persons with Disabilities) until Sunday, December 5, both inclusive. “Its objective is to promote inclusion and give visibility to disability,” emphasizes Cristina. One of its main novelties is that it will be held at the European level in the four countries in which the company operates. Spain is joined by Portugal, Ireland and Northern Ireland. Runners will be able to choose the distance between 1, 5 and 10 kms and in the registration process you can make a solidarity donation, amount that will be added to that made by the insurance company, consisting of one euro per participant. The proceeds in Spain will go to the Young Promises Team. Those who want to register can do so at: https://www.carreraliberty.es/ You can also download an App to train and compete.
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