TORINO 2006 PARALYMPICS WINTER GAMES March 10-19

[BOREALIS]

An Interview with Carmen Garcia

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Dec 6 2005

AGE: 31
NATIONALITY’: SPANISH
PROFESSION: JOURNALIST
DISCIPLINA: ALPINE SKIING
THE START OF HER AGONISTIC CAREER: 1999
COACH: LAURA ZAPATER
BEST RESULTS: 5TH PLACE IN THE DOWNHILL AT THE PARALYMPICS OF SALT LAKE 2002 SILVER IN THE DOWNHILL AT THE 2001 WORLD CUP (SALT LAKE CITY)


Hi, Carmen, how old are you and where do you live?

I’m 31, and I Live in Barcelona.


How did you begin practising Alpine Skiing?

At first, I was a bit hesitant, but one of my friends insisted that I should give it a try, and when I did I understood that it was the most enjoyable sport that I had ever practised.


Thanks to skiing, you’ve been able to take part in some unique events, like, for example, the Paralympics of Salt Lake City, what emotions do you remember about those moments?

Taking part in the Paralympics was a really unique occasion for me, and my feelings are impossible to describe. The World Cup races, too, held at Wildschonau in 2004, gave me tremendous satisfaction, especially because I won a marvellous second place in the giant slalom.


Besides skiing, what are your other big interests?

I’m a journalist, so I work in the world of communications. I am also a football coach, and in my free time, I love travelling, writing and dancing.


Looking ahead to the future, what are your hopes for the competitions of the Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games?

I hope to win at least one medal, I’ve done a lot of training to get ready for this event, and I think I can hope for a place on the podium.


What are you expecting from the public at the Paralympics?

I'm sure there’ll be a lot of people watching, and for us athletes with different abilities, it will be an opportunity to show the world that often it is society itself that creates our difficulties. As for the problems connected to disabilities, they could be easily overcome with adequate resources.


Sport connected to the world of disabilities, what's your opinion on this subject?

I believe sport is, and must be, for everyone; in fact, sports activities can be lived at all levels and not only in a competitive way. So, I think it’s indispensable to give everybody the chance to live this extraordinary world.