Moldova sends four athletes to Beijing Paralympics

The Republic of Moldova will be represented by four athletes at the XIII Summer Paralympic Games, due to start Saturday in Beijing, Info-Prim Neo reports. The four athletes are Grigore Fotescu, Andrei Josan, Nicolae Ciumac and Larisa Marinenkova, accompanied by coach Dumitru Prodan and doctor Dorin Balmus. Though Larisa Marinenkova didn't pass any qualifiers, organizers invited her to compete in Beijing after she won the first place at a tournament in Poland. According to the National Paralympic Committee, the Moldovan delegation will be able to perform in Beijing thanks to the organizers, which kindly offered to cover travel and accommodation costs. The National Sports Agency contributed with sportswear. As in the case of the Olympic Games, the Moldovan Government promised rewards for outstanding results attained at the forthcoming Paralympics. Gold medalists will receive 70,000 euros, silver will be rewarded with 50,000 euros and bronze with 30,000 euros. Occupants of the places 4 to 8 will also get prizes ranging from 15,000 to 1,000 euros upon return from China. The Paralympic Games are a multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities, including common sports like cycling and swimming as well as special sports like wheelchair basketball or volleyball sitting.