Lebanese Paralympic Champion Visits Schools in Jbeil

With passion, determination and a big smile on his face Edward Maalouf greeted the students, faculty and administration of Jbeil’s public secondary school and Modern St. Anthony private school. The Lebanese Paralympic champion addressed the students about his disability and how sports has inspired him. This talk was part of the British Embassy’s activities in the run-up to the Olympic and Paralympic games that London will be hosting in 2012.

Edward was received by the students with eagerness and enthusiasm. They prepared a power-point presentation marking his sports milestones, from joining the basketball team to becoming a hand-cycling champion. In return Edward talked about his life as an athlete and his accomplishments in the run-up to the 2012 games. He also tackled the subject of his disability and how important it is to have ambition, strong will and determination. His latest dream – one of many –is aiming for gold at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games.

The schools visits were organized in partnership with the British Council within the framework of its global project, Connecting Classrooms, which aims at building lasting partnerships between schools in the UK and Lebanon. Through these partnerships, the program develops understanding and trust between young people in different societies, creating a safer and more connected world for the future. Dr. Saab, school principle of Modern St. Anthony School welcomed Edward saying: ‘..you are a Lebanese symbol and we are proud to receive you in our school, the man of challenge and perseverance’. Dr. Saab read out a speech sent by the Head of Modern Foreign languages and International links coordinator Deborah Jack from the Furze Platt senior school in England congratulating Edward on his achievements. Both schools will be working together on key aspects of London 2012.

Marking U.N. International Day for Persons with Disabilities British minister Jeremy Browne said: “As the Minister at the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office with responsibility for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, I am delighted that the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December 2011 will be taking as its theme “Together for a better world for all: Including persons with disabilities in development” “This inclusiveness is something that the UK, as host nation for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the London Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), sees as an essential part of London 2012.”