Mattarella tells Paralympians yours is a message to world

(ANSA) - ROME, AUG 29 - President Sergio Mattarella told Italian athlete on a visit to the Paralympics Village Thursday that "your presence here, so numerous and qualified, is already an important goal, and I thank you for being here to represent Italy." He stressed: "it is important what you do, your message to the world".
    The athletes presented the Head of State, accompanied by the President of the Italian Paralympic Committee, Luca Pancalli, with an Olympic torch.
    The Olympic appointment "has two times, the Olympics and the Paralympics," said the head of State.
    "In the first there is the enthusiasm, in the second there is the collection, the conclusions.
    "Every four years, athletes from all over the world offer special, precious, indispensable moments to humanity," Mattarella continued.
    "In this particular period of history, it is of increased importance to emphasise how important it is to make knowledge, dialogue, collaboration and not opposition, or even clashes and wars, prevail." (ANSA).