With a complete and precise tour of the main rules and terminology of the 17 sports that will be present at the Parapan American Games, the Paralympic Committee of Chile (Copachi) conducted a training session for sports journalists, thinking about the event to be held between November 17 and 26 of next year.

The seminar was held in the auditorium of Universidad Autonoma in Providencia. The president of the Committee, Sebastián Villavicencio, stated that "these activities are very important because we address those who ultimately transmit Paralympic sport to the country and it is relevant to use the correct words to refer to people with impairments."

The event had an active participation of the Technical Area of ​​the Committee. His sports director, Álex Inostroza, claimed that if what athletes do is not communicated accordingly, all the effort "will make no sense, because Paralympic sport also seeks a more inclusive society, spreading a message of social benefit."

"WE SEEK TO MAKE THE JOURNALISTS FEEL COMFORTABLE"

Copachi's Communications Manager, Cristian Leon, has a long history in the Paralympic world, beginning to cover mega events at the Rio 2007 Parapan American Games, which was the first time they were held alongside conventional competition. He has seen all the evolution of the "Para" events up to the present.

Thus, he was a privileged witness to the first Chilean Paralympic medal in London 2012 with long-distance runner Cristián Valenzuela. Some years later, he saw the successful performance of the Team Para Chile at Tokyo 2020, with two gold medals -swimmer Alberto Abarza and shot put thrower Francisca Mardones-, in addition to other four podiums.

“The objective is to facilitate the work of sports journalists who will have the mission of telling what the Parapan American Games are about, which are similar to the Pan American Games, but different in several aspects. We want the reporter who is going to cover to feel comfortable, at ease, with the necessary confidence to write about Paralympic sports,” he assured.

Among the attending professionals was Juan Manuel Ramírez, from Canal Deportivo Olímpico (CDO) channel. "The responsibility as a journalist is enormous, especially in this field with little-known terminology. Any teaching is welcome," he said.

The Parapan American Games will bring together almost 2,000 athletes from 33 countries of the Americas and almost all its disciplines will lead to the Paralympics in Paris.