Gold-You can do more than you think

Geneva, Feb 26, 2013: Today, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace, Mr. Wilfried Lemke, will be attending the premiere screening of the movie “Gold- You can do more than you think”. This highly inspirational film documentary will play a key role in the promotion of the Paralympic spirit and disability sport.

As one of the movies key patrons, Mr. Lemke, who has previously met all three athletes featured in the film, attended the premiere to help raise awareness of the film’s key objectives.

“It is important that we understand that for every Olympics, there is a Paralympics. These athletes are working just as hard, if not harder to participate in and compete for a medal at the Games. This film will help to elevate the profile of the Paralympic movement and spirit. “Gold- You can do more than you think “, is a highly inspirational film that I hope will encourage everyone to foster inclusion and inspire development through sport.” Mr. Lemke stated.

He further added “Sport is an important resource to promote social inclusion. For those with a disability it can be even harder to participate in sport. For the disabled, sport can provide a gateway to rehabilitation and an opportunity to develop important life skills. It is society’s role to assist those who face barriers when trying to access sport and recreation.”

“Gold- more than a film.”

“Gold- You can do more than you think”, documents the life stories of three exceptional Paralympic athletes. Henry Wanyoike, a blind marathon runner from Kenya, Kirsten Bruhn, a German paraplegic swimmer and Kurt Fearnley, an Australian wheelchair racer.

The project started in 2011, when the award winning Director Michael Hammon and his team began to record the athletes’ lives. Gaining an important insight in to the athletes’ busy training schedule that prepared them for London 2012. To fully appreciate the barriers of those with a disability, the film crew was given full access to follow and document the private lives of the athletes.

This film reached its peak during the London 2012 Paralympics, where millions of viewers watched these athletes compete over the 10 day event. The film has encapsulated the Paralympic spirit and captures the athletes’ great zest for life. This documentary emphasizes that everyone can achieve more than they think, and can always aim for the GOLD.

ABOUT THE SPECIAL ADVISER TO THE UN SECRETARY-GENERAL ON SPORT FOR DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE:

Mr. Wilfried Lemke, of Germany, was appointed by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as his Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace on 11 April 2008, serving on a $1 per year salary with the rank of Under-Secretary-General. In this role, the Special Adviser aims to reach out further to the world of sport and more systematically and coherently encourage the use of sport the pursuit of development cooperation, humanitarian aid and peace-building efforts. Mr. Lemke succeeded Adolf Ogi, former President of the Swiss Confederation, who had served as Special Adviser since 2001. —- UNOSDP