The Brazilian Paralympic Committee (CPB) has officially launched a nationwide celebration campaign to mark its 30th anniversary, highlighting three decades of dedication to inclusion, high performance, and social transformation through sport. The commemorative project began with projections on national landmarks, including the iconic Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, illuminating the figure with the CPB’s anniversary logo and Paralympic colors.
With the theme “30 Years of Transformation”, the campaign aims to not only honor past achievements, but also ignite conversations around the future of adaptive sport in Brazil and beyond.
Lighting Up Brazil with Inclusion
The opening ceremony took place on April 5th at the base of Christ the Redeemer, featuring Paralympic athletes, CPB executives, and government officials. During the evening, messages of gratitude and inspiration were projected onto the monument, accompanied by video clips of historic Brazilian performances at the Paralympic Games.
Other landmarks participating in the initiative included:
- The National Congress in Brasília
- The Museum of Tomorrow in Rio
- The Estádio do Pacaembu in São Paulo
- The Amazon Theater in Manaus
Each projection included phrases such as “From Challenge to Victory” and “Paralympic Spirit Moves Brazil”, broadcast nationwide and widely shared on social media.
A Legacy of Excellence
Founded in 1995, the CPB has overseen Brazil’s rise from relative obscurity in the Paralympic world to a top-five global power. In recent editions of the Paralympic Games, Brazil has consistently secured over 70 medals, including multiple golds in athletics, swimming, and judo.
Athletes such as Daniel Dias, Terezinha Guilhermina, Ricardo de Oliveira, and Carol Santiago have become household names and role models for millions.
The CPB has also played a critical role in developing:
- Nationwide classification and recruitment programs
- State-of-the-art training centers (e.g., the Brazilian Paralympic Training Center in São Paulo)
- Inclusion campaigns in public education and sports media
Beyond the Medals: Shaping Policy and Culture
One of the most praised aspects of the CPB’s 30-year journey is its ability to influence not just athletic performance, but public perception of disability.
Through partnerships with schools, universities, and media outlets, the CPB has helped shift the conversation from “limitation” to “potential.” This cultural impact has resulted in stronger laws for sports accessibility, more public funding, and an increasing number of adaptive sports projects in underserved communities.
In the words of CPB president Mizael Conrado, himself a two-time Paralympic champion in goalball:
“Our goal was never just medals — it was always about making Brazil believe in the power of every body, every mind, every story.”
Future Goals: Paris 2024 and Beyond
With the Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games on the horizon, the CPB is now focused on sustainability and international collaboration. The committee plans to:
- Expand its regional training hubs to reach more athletes in the North and Northeast
- Launch a scholarship program for retired Paralympians
- Host the Parapan American Games in 2027, with a bid already in development
The anniversary campaign is not only a look back — it’s a springboard for the next chapter.
Conclusion: Celebrating a Movement, Not Just a Milestone
The CPB’s 30th anniversary is a tribute to resilience, innovation, and the power of sport to build a more inclusive society. Through powerful imagery, storytelling, and institutional commitment, Brazil has become a global leader in the Paralympic movement — and the journey is far from over.