AUDIENCE WITH ATHLETES OF THE "SILENT" WORLD GAMES

VATICAN CITY, MAY 15, 2000 (VIS) - At midday today, the Pope received 300 athletes with hearing difficulties accompanied by their attendants, sign language interpreters and members of the organizing committee of the "Silent" World Games, which will be held in Rome in 2001.

"The 'silence' that marks your existence, young athletes," said John Paul II, "although it undoubtedly creates difficulties in your dealings with the surrounding world, must not represent solitude or isolation for anyone. On the contrary, finding strength in the interior values and capacities you possess, put all your energies to work in order to offer a precious contribution; certainly different but no less meaningful in ensuring respect and social integration for all people."

After indicating that the association brings together athletes from 80 countries on all continents, the Holy Father affirmed that "attention to people who live in conditions of reduced physical and personal efficiency helps society itself to create more respectful relationships between all its members.
"May your work reach the goals it has set itself of paying greater attention to the problems of those who have difficulties in communicating and in integrating in the wider context."

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