Brazil finished joint third on the medal table alongside Britain as they won 30 medals with 12 golds, 10 silvers and eight bronzes.

They finished just behind China and Russia respectively to achieve the outstanding feat and Rousseff greeted all athletes one by one, praising and congratulating them for their conquests.

Brazil's Dilma Terezinha Guilhermina (pictured with Rousseff) was arguably the outstanding performer of the event and claimed an astonishing four gold medals in a feat that was matched in New Zealand only by America's Tatyana McFadden.

Guilhermina gave the President a stuffed Kiwi, the symbol of New Zealand, and then there was an emotional moment as the Paralympic star also tried to give Rousseff her medals with the President refusing to accept them.

"I'm honoured," said the Brazilian President.

"These medals are in my heart.

"Any prejudice collapses when we see Paralympic athletes winning medals and overcoming their difficulties.

"It's a proud moment watching you compete, especially when you go to the podium.

"Your conquest shows that overcoming difficulties is possible.

"I'm really happy to receive you.

"I think that I must say thank you because you have shown that a team's job is to make it work, just as in a Government."

Brazilian Paralympic Committee (BPC) President and senior IPC Governing Board Member Andrew Parsons was equally proud of his team as he echoed the President's words.

"The Paralympic Brazil is a Brazil that works," said Parsons.

"It wasn't by chance that Brazilian Athletics Team developed from 17th in Assen 2006, to tenth in Beijing 2008 and finally third in Christchurch.

"As Brazil develops, Paralympic Brazil also develops with planning and a serious management.

"We hope to be here many other times, with much more conquests."

Interest in the Paralympics in Brazil has risen dramatically since the capital of the country Rio de Janeiro won the right to stage the 2016 Olympic and Paralympics.

Rio will be the first Paralympics to stage 22 sports after paratriathlon and paracanoe were added to the current programme in a decision made by the IPC Governing Board at the end of last year.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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