No Football But Brilliant Klopp Cheers on Paralympic Athletes
By Ellise Hollie-Hayward, Disabilities Editor
Everyone knows Jurgen Klopp as an inspirational leader and coach.
But he is also an exceptional human being.
The former Liverpool manager, was among the crowd as the Para badminton started on Day 1 in Paris.
Jurgen was courtside at Porte de La Chapelle Arena to watch his friend Wojtek Czyz on the first day of the competition and he was admired by what he saw.
Before moving to New Zealand, Wojtek represented Germany in 3 Paralympic Games before moving to New Zealand, who he now competes for.
He lost 2-0 to Great Britain's Daniel Bethell.
Klopp said: "We said congratulations to Daniel, I think that's the right thing.
“Yes he played badminton, unfortunately against one of the best in the world, obviously so it makes life not easier, but I could enjoy each second and each point.
“I had enough time to celebrate each point. I couldn't be prouder of him to be here again with all the things in between, the start of the dream and being here.
“We stood in front of the Eiffel Tower yesterday and we both thought 'wow'. It's super, super special."
Klopp loved his experience of the opening ceremony at the Place de la Concorde.
He said: “I saw so many athletes with big smiles in the stands. We've experienced here now in Paris the Olympics and before that the world was in a big crisis, but for 2 and half weeks we forgot it because that's what sport can do.
The stories behind the athletes are always special, and that's what I love about sport, sports can change the world."
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