Number 13 is not liked by many, but Uzbekistan likes it very much - Abdulla Aripov

On September 9, a welcoming ceremony was held at Islam Karimov Tashkent International Airport to honor the Uzbek para-athletes who participated in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. During the ceremony, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Abdulla Aripov, delivered a speech, congratulating everyone on the remarkable achievements.

At the event, Husniddin Norbekov, the three-time Paralympic champion and the flag bearer of the Uzbek delegation, presented the national flag to the Prime Minister.

"On August 13, we entrusted our national flag to the paralympians, wishing them success in the Paris competitions. Our para-athletes secured 13th place among representatives from 189 countries, returning home with pride. They finished 13th both in the Olympics and the Paralympics. While many consider 13 an unlucky number, Uzbekistan holds it in high regard," stated the Prime Minister.

During the ceremony, Prime Minister Aripov handed the national flag over to the leaders of the National Olympic and Paralympic Committee, expressing his hope that the results of the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, USA, would be even more impressive.

It is worth noting that the Uzbek para-athletes achieved the best results in their history during the Paris competitions. The team of 65 para-athletes won a total of 26 medals, comprising 10 gold, 7 silver, and 9 bronze.