On behalf of all the Portuguese and in my own personal name I wish to congratulate athletes João Paulo Fernandes and António Marques for the results obtained today in the Beijing 2008 Paralympics.

The gold and silver medals won in the same competition are a sporting feat of which the Portuguese are justly proud and which greatly dignifies national sports. They also show the extraordinary physical preparation of our athletes.

I renew my congratulations and my very best wishes for personal happiness and sports success.

Aníbal Cavaco Silva