Elkin Serna won marathon silver for Colombia at London 2012 ©Getty Images

The Colombian Paralympic Committee (CPC) has celebrated 15 years of its constitution and recognised how far the organisation has come in developing Para-sport in the South American country.

The body reached the milestone on February 3 as the country prepares for this year's Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.

“The victories, medals and titles won have been part of this experience, and so have losses, falls and efforts which were not always rewarded as expected," said a statement by the CPC.

"However, beyond the satisfaction of accomplishment, of setbacks and disappointments of all projects undertaken, the greatest treasure found during this time was undoubtedly the friendship of athletes, coaches, managers and professionals from different areas who have joined this adventure from all corners of Colombia and in different parts of the world.

“It has been 15 years promoting the values of the Paralympic Movement: inspiration, determination, courage, equality and ensuring the human right to sport without discrimination of any kind, and helping to make the dreams of many who to at first it seemed unattainable.

Moises Fuentes Garcia won a swimming silver for his country in the British capital
Moises Fuentes Garcia won a swimming silver for his country in the British capital ©Getty Images

“As the late South African President Nelson Mandela said, sport has the power to change the world.

"It has the power to inspire, has the power to unite people in a way that few things can achieve.

"Sport is perhaps the best tool for inclusion and reconciliation with which humanity has."

Colombia won two silver medals at the London 2012 Paralympics, with visually impaired T12 marathon runner Elkin Serna and SB4 100 metres swimmer Moises Fuentes Garcia both finishing second in the British capital.