Paralympic swimmer Semiha Rızoğlu from Xanthi informs the students from Komotini

Celal Bayar Minority Secondary School and High School in Komotini hosted the Turkish Paralympic swimmer Semiha Rızaoğlu from Xanthi on the occasion of 3 December World Day of Persons with Disabilities. The successful athlete met with students from Komotini.

Within the scope of this awareness, students studying at Celal Bayar Minority Secondary School and High School in Komotini had the opportunity for a special experience. Semiha Rızaoğlu, born in 1987 in Gökçeler village in Xanthi province, who is a Paralympic swimmer in the 50m backstroke category S4, 500m and 100m freestyle, participated as a guest in the event organised in the indoor sports hall of the school on the World Day of Persons with Disabilities and informed the students from Komotini on the special day.

Semiha Rızaoğlu, who won bronze medals in European championships, participated in the Paralympic Games in Rio and London and won the PSAT award given to the leading representatives of the disabled sport in Greece in 2009, and the students discussed the accessibility problems faced by everyone in a very friendly environment and in a sincere language.

Turkish Paralympic swimmer Semiha Rızaoğlu from Xanthi gave information to the students about the value of sports in the lives of disabled people, the positive and outward-looking perspective on life, the treatment they receive from their social and intimate environment, and the accessibility problems they face every day.

"As Komotini Celal Bayar Minority Secondary School and High School, it is an honour for us to host such a great athlete and human being," said Memet Tunalp, Principal of the school, about Semiha Rızaoğlu, who participated as a speaker in the event organised at the school on the occasion of the World Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December.

"Undoubtedly, the message of the event was that disability cannot stand in the way of anyone who struggles, who strives, who looks at life with a smile and optimism", said Mrs Eleni Haci, Deputy Director.

Both students and teachers were very impressed by Semiha Rızaoğlu's visit and the information she conveyed in her speech on the life of disabled people and her efforts and will to participate equally in society as an active citizen and congratulated her at the end of the event.