Tunisian athletes taking part in the 2016 Paralympic Games returned home to a heroes’ welcome on Wednesday after their great performance in the Rio de Janeiro Games where they won 19 medals (7 gold, 6 silver and bronze).
They were welcomed by Prime Minister Youssef Chahed, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Majdoline Cherni and several members of the government and sports and political figures and family members of athletes.
"Tunisia is proud of your achievements. You are an example for all Tunisians, said the Prime Minister. You have made a great performance despite the modest resources available to you thanks to your determination and your fighting spirit.
Tunisia needs that determination in this difficult time to overcome all difficulties" he said.
Athlete Walid Ktila, winner of a gold medal in Men’s 100m (T34) and a silver medal in 800m T33/T34 expressed his great joy for the welcome reserved to the Tunisian team.
“All athletes have done their best to honor Tunisia during these games. These results are the fruit of hard work and great efforts and I thank the Tunisian public for their support."
For her part, Najah Chouaya said her silver medal in the 1500m (T12-13) in her first Paralympic Games was not easy at all. "
"I am very happy to have succeeded in my mission in Brazil, said for her part Raouaa Tlili, winner of two gold medals in javelin (F41) and discus throw (F40-41).
I got the gold in discus throw and I beat the world record and I also won the gold medal in the javelin. My joy was twice with the reaction of the Tunisian public, she said. I hope I will repeat these feats in the Tokyo Paralympics 2020.”
Tunisia has finished on the top of Arab and African countries in the athletics’ event and sixth worldwide in the same discipline.
Tunisia’s MEDALS
Gold / 7
ATHLETICS MEN'S 100M - T34
Walid KTILA
ATHLETICS MEN'S 1500M - T38
Abbes SAIDI
ATHLETICS WOMEN'S 1500M - T12/13
Somaya BOUSAID
ATHLETICS WOMEN'S CLUB THROW - F31/32
Maroua BRAHMI
ATHLETICS WOMEN'S DISCUS THROW - F40/41
Raoua TLILI
ATHLETICS WOMEN'S SHOT PUT - F32
Maroua BRAHMI
ATHLETICS WOMEN'S SHOT PUT - F41
Raoua TLILI
Silver / 6
ATHLETICS MEN'S 800M - T33/34
Walid KTILA
ATHLETICS WOMEN'S 1500M - T12/13
Najah CHOUAYA
ATHLETICS WOMEN'S JAVELIN THROW - F53/54
Hania AIDI
ATHLETICS WOMEN'S SHOT PUT - F40
Rima ABDELLI
ATHLETICS WOMEN'S SHOT PUT - F41
Samar BEN KOELLEB
ATHLETICS WOMEN'S SHOT PUT - F54
Hania AIDI
Bronze / 6
ATHLETICS MEN'S 400M - T54
Yassine GHARBI
ATHLETICS MEN'S 5000M - T12/13
Bilel ALOUI
ATHLETICS MEN'S SHOT PUT - F40
Smaali BOUAABID
ATHLETICS WOMEN'S 400M - T37
Neda BAHI
ATHLETICS WOMEN'S DISCUS THROW - F40/41
Fathia AMAIMIA
ATHLETICS WOMEN'S SHOT PUT - F54
Fadhila NAFATI