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 | Originating from the word “parallel”, the Paralympics serve as the parallel international competition to the Olympic Games for athletes with a physical disability. These are young men and women who ask for no charity; like all athletes, they are competing to win, which is why the Games emphasize their achievements, rather than their disabilities. | | |
For nearly a decade, Visa has been a proud supporter of this international movement, continuing its commitment to empower people and help them achieve goals they might not have otherwise believed they could attain.
The Athens 2004 Paralympic Games began 17 days after the closing of the 2004 Olympic Games. Visa was, once again, proud to support these inspiring athletes whose courage and skill were on display for the world to see. In Athens, Visa was the official payment service and only card accepted at the Paralympic Games.
By raising awareness of the Paralympic movement, Visa helps to facilitate greater understanding of the challenges faced by people with disabilities and the inspirational stories that many of them have to tell. Not only was Visa the first Olympic sponsor to become a worldwide Paralympic sponsor, but also the first sponsor to sign an agreement with the International Paralympic Committee to become its official payment provider.
In addition to sponsoring the Paralympic Congress and the last three Paralympic Games in Nagano, Sydney, and Salt Lake City, Visa has also worked with a number of national Paralympic Sports Federations over the years to enrich the experience of the Games for both athletes and fans.
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