Walter Pfaller, head of the sports department of the State of Salzburg, who has competed in seven Paralympic Summer Games, is in Manchester at the 2007 VISA Paralympic World Cup.
Pfaller said he’s convinced by the concept behind Salzburg’s bid for the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Games. He said, “should the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games be awarded to Salzburg on July 4, I guarantee that the competitors at the Paralympic Winter Games will enjoy the same excellent conditions as the athletes in the Olympic Winter Games. The same venues will be used, and the athletes will also be accommodated in the Olympic Village. Furthermore, the athletes will also benefit from the compact traffic concept and excellent infrastructure in the Salzburg Olympic region. In every aspect they will experience a fantastic Games full of atmosphere, enthusiasm and thrilling moments”.
With a view to hosting the 2014 Winter Games the Austrian National Paralympic Committee is organizing an international Paralympic youth camp this summer.
Rudolf Hoeller, Executive Director of Salzburg 2014 said, “were the Paralympic Games to be held in Salzburg, then awareness of the excellent results and performances of the disabled athletes would increase in Austria, and around the world. As a result of the Winter Games, particular educational attention will be paid to disabled sport. We also expect the youth camp will inspire, motivate and train a new generation of Paralympic athletes”.
