South Korea took the most medals for the sixth straight time at this year’s international competition for people with special needs and disabilities, held in France, local supporters said Sunday.
The South Korean team made up of veteran vocational workers grabbed 14 gold, eight silver and two bronze medals at the International Abilympics (IA) 2016 in the French city of Bordeaux.
Taiwan took second place with five gold, four silver and one bronze medals, and China came in third with five gold, two silver and six bronze.
The four-day professional skills competition brought together 650 contestants from 33 countries, who competed to showcase their vocational abilities in various trade and technology areas.
In a statement released after the closing ceremony, South Korean President Park Geun-hye congratulated the South Korean participants.
“The participants raised the honor and pride of the people, and once again showed the vocational skills of the Republic of Korea (South Korea),” the chief executive said.
The IA, first held in Tokyo in 1981, was launched by the United Nations to commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities as part of efforts to improve vocational skills, to boost motivation, to participate in socio-economic activities and to promote stability by increasing the employment rate of persons with disabilities. The event is held every four years. (Yonhap)
