Sports provide a strong impetus for people to realize their potential and for the creation of a more accessible urban environment, Paralympic swimmer and architect Ileana Rodriguez said via video link, during the special session titled “Cities as Playing Fields” held within the framework of WUF13, APA-Economics reports.
Stating that she was born in Cuba and moved to the United States at the age of 15, Ileana Rodriguez noted that sports changed her life. According to her, it was through swimming that she realized physical limitations do not prevent people from pursuing their dreams.
Ileana Rodriguez emphasized that an accessible urban environment is one of the key conditions for people to fully realize their potential.
She cited Peru’s capital Lima as a successful example, noting that the city first developed an inclusive sports policy and then built sports facilities in line with that policy. These facilities remained available for use by city residents even after international competitions ended.
According to Rodriguez, sports are an important tool not only for competitions, but also for long-term social change and inclusive urban policy.
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