Estonian Paralympic Committee holds unique Paralympic exhibition at Tallinn Airport

The Estonian Paralympic Committee has opened a unique Paralympic-themed exhibition at Tallinn Airport, introducing athletes and the history of Para sport in the country. 

The Paralympic Gate, created in collaboration with Toyota Baltic, is located at Gate 8 of the international airport. It is the largest exhibition of the Paralympic Movement in Estonia and showcases the country’s participation at the Games and interesting facts about various Para sports.

“By telling the stories of Para athletes, we can raise awareness, change attitudes, and maybe someone will find their passion and self-fulfilment through Para sports,” Monika Haukanomm, president of the Estonian Paralympic Committee, said.

“The goal of Paralympic Gate is to introduce and raise awareness of Estonian Para sports and the history of the Paralympics to both Estonian travellers and guests from abroad.

“Para sport unites everyone.”

Paralympic Gate

The year-long exhibition, which is in both Estonian and English, offers visitors the opportunity to learn more about the Paralympic Movement while they wait for their flight at the airport. 

There are rare items, including the spikes Annely Ojastu wore when she won the 1996 Paralympics, Para swimmer Marge Korkjas’ memorabilia from four Games, and Para triathlete Laura-Liis Juursalu’s swimming cap and starting number from Paris 2024. In addition to rare memorabilia and an overview of Estonia’s current and former top Para athletes, the exhibition also offers people the opportunity to try out a handcycle. 

“It’s great that Para sports and Para athletes are visible to the public, so people know what they can do or who they can cheer for,” said Juursalu, who competed in Para triathlon women’s PTS5 race in Paris. 

Juursalu, who was named Estonia’s female Para athlete of the year in 2024, said she did not know about Para triathlon before she took up the sport. 

“If Para sports are more visible, then people will get used to the fact that it is also part of normal life.”

Estonia has won 19 medals (four gold, eight silver and seven bronze) since making its Paralympic debut at Barcelona 1992. Vilma Nugis earned Estonia’s first Paralympic Winter Games medal, a bronze, in Para cross-country skiing at Lillehammer 1994.

Paralympic Gate No. 8 at Tallinn Airport in Estonia will be open until spring 2026.