PARTICIPANT

The total number of countries participating was 71 (see enclosed table), which constituted a new record for blind athletes at a competition. The participation, by continents, was finally as follows: EUROPE 31, AMERICA 17, AFRICA 11, ASIA 10 and OCEANIA 2.

The total number of athletes came to 719 and the number of attached personnel was 464. The most numerous delegations were the following: SPAIN, 71 athletes; UNITED STATES, 51 athletes; GREAT BRITAIN, 35 athletes; GERMANY and AUSTRALIA, 32 athletes.

In order to organise the World Blind Sports Championships, with the participation of nearly 2,500 people ­ between athletes, technical personnel, judges and referees and organisers ­ the contribution of a considerable contingent of volunteers was a crucial factor. Madrid'98 was able to count on the selfless collaboration of 800 people who ensured the success of the games. The volunteers, who were from every province in Spain, co-operated in all aspects and permitted the blind athletes from all over the world to move around, both on and off the track, within an atmosphere of normality and true integration.

Many data and anecdotes remain etched in our memory from these days. A prime example is the extremely high standard of some blind athletes, epitomised by such feats as the Spanish long jumper Manuel Rodríguez in B1 (totally blind) who achieved 6.67m, which is 7 centimetres longer than the absolute women's record in Spain, held by Sandra Myers since 1988.

But, for those who are fond of curiosities, we shall now reflect a few of these facts and figures from the Championships.

- The Bulgarian Geieorgui Ivanov Sakelarov, a specialist in B2 shot and discus, was the oldest athlete in competition at 47 years of age.

- The Muslim athletes were provided with Braille cards indicating the direction of Mecca for their prayer sessions. They also had a special menu, with meat cooked in the Muslim style, from animals sacrificed in accordance with the rites of their religion.

- One of the US goalball players brought his own mascot, a cuddly toy he hugged whenever he sat on the bench ... perhaps this was the secret behind them winning the bronze medal.

- Apart from devoting his time to athletics, the Peruvian thrower, Franklin Yovani Ciro, who is partially blind, has a rather special hobby ­ he breeds fighting bulls.

- Not everyone, unfortunately, enjoys the same possibilities. In Paraguay, the athletes have to train out in the street and do not know what it means to put on "spikes". Marco Pereira was about to compete barefoot in the 100m final when, fortunately, a Spanish athlete was able to lend him a spare pair he had. A story with a happy ending that made an impression on the other runners.

And to finish off, some notable figures: 1,400 participants from 71 countries of the 5 continents. A greater number of blind sportsmen and women (swimmers, athletes, judokas and goalball players) than at the Paralympics in Atlanta. More goalball teams than in any other Championship. 2,500 persons (athletes, trainers, masseurs, organisation, press, sponsors, etc.). 800 volunteers. 250 journalists and accredited media professionals. 70 media companies from 20 countries. 700 medals distributed amongst the top athletes. 100,000 mascot badges handed out. 34,500 litres of soft drinks and 16,000 sandwiches consumed throughout the Championships. 10,000 tee-shirts handed out in the sporting installations. Over 23,000 litres of water drunk. 12 accommodation centres for the participating delegations. 13,000 spectators, 300 dancers, 90,000 watts of sound and 20,000 balloons (with 18 kms. of string) at the Opening Ceremony.

Madrid, starting point