7 Paralympic Stars to Watch in Paris 2024

More and more stars are appearing in the Paralympic firmament, and thanks to this glitter, Paralympic sport is becoming increasingly visible. Some of these stars have been shining for years. Others shine brighter as the Games progress. These are the seven athletes who will follow us, including two Spanish women: the unstoppable Teresa Perales and the iconic Susana Rodriguez. There is a lot of female presence, because we already know: stars are written in the feminine plural.

1. Children’s saw (Venice, 1997)

He is the most global Paralympic star. Documentary Rising Phoenix (2020) got its name from this Italian swordsmanwho lost his limbs at the age of 11 due to meningitis and has two gold medals, a silver and a bronze. between Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. He wrote his biography — under the name My son gave me a dream (Rizzoli, 2015)—, participated as voice actress in the Pixar movie Incredibles 2worked as leading on Italian television, challenged Cristiano Ronaldo During the pandemic, Nike’s campaign to encourage exercise at home inspired the creation of a special edition Barbiewas L’Oréal Paris image and currently also works as trainer. So no one was surprised to see his figure next to those of Mbappe, LeBron James and Alexia Putellas at the Palais Brongniart for a Nike event in April.

2. Marcel Hug (Pfin, 1986)

What do Tiger Woods, Rafael Nadal, Michael Schumacher, Lionel Messi and Paralympian Marcel Hug have in common? All of them are winners of two prestigious Laureus awards. Only Brazilian Paralympic swimmer Daniel Dias has more (three). The Swiss, who was nicknamed the silver bullet (silver bullet) because of the color of the helmet – rode in Tokyo 2020, where He won four gold medals in the 800 meters, 1500 meters, 5000 meters and the marathon. in the T54 wheelchair racing class. He is therefore one of the contenders to beat in Paris in 2024. Marcel is currently the youngest of four brothers, who was born with spina bifida and grew up on a farm – He has twelve medals from four Games (six gold, four silver and two bronze) and is hoping to add to his tally.

3. Sandrine Martinet (Paris, 1982)

The judoka plays at home and knows that she is the main character. The Frenchwoman, who was born with achromatopsia, which left her unable to see, was the Tokyo 2020 flag bearer and has won four medals (one gold and three silver) at five Games since 2004. She dreams of winning a fifth medal in front of her children, her military husband, the rest of her family and friends, which is an additional incentive and pressure. She came to judo when she was 9 years old to feel whole and get away from all her nicknames: mole, blind man, snake with glasses… She also studied physiotherapy. Whatever happens at these Games, Sandrine makes it clear: “I have every intention of moving forward, but I don’t know how far yet!”

4. Ibrahim Hamadtu (Damietta, 1973)

Seeing it in action is one of the most impressive moments of the Games.. The Egyptian table tennis player throws the ball up with his feet and hits it with a racket held in his mouth. His technique has already impressed him in his Rio debut and continues to do so. Ibrahim had both his arms amputated when he was just ten years old after a train accident, and the setback left him devastated. He spent three years housebound. The problem arose when he was refereeing a table tennis match between two friends. One of them, upset by one of the decisions, blurted out: “Don’t interfere because you’ll never be able to play.” He made his debut for Egypt in 2004. He starred in a British-produced documentary. Channel 4 it’s called Yes, I can. and was named Arab Sportsman of the Year (2013).

5. Jessica Long (Irkutsk, 1992)

The American swimmer has been rolling in medals since her debut in Athens in 2004, when she was just 12 years old: 29, divided into 16 gold, 8 silver and 5 bronze. This record broke the record of his compatriot Phelps (28), with whom he trained. Jessica became a celebrity in her home country thanks to a Toyota commercial that aired during the Super Bowl and told her story. She was born in the Russian city of Irkutsk with the name Tatyana and fibular hemimelia. A congenital bone disorder that left her parents, a teenage couple, frightened and giving her up for adoption.He spent thirteen months in a shelter until Beth and Steve Long offered him a new life in Baltimore, where both his legs were amputated. He took up swimming and New book coming out in October: Beyond the Surface (Behind the surface), thus joining those already published Mermaid without a tail (Mermaid without a tail) and unsinkable(Unsinkable).

6. Susana Rodriguez (Vigo, 1988)

His face was on the cover of Time magazine, and his voice was the first thing patients heard on the other end of the phone during the pandemic.She was the first blind woman to receive a medical education, and her patients are her elders. fans. Susana Rodriguez, who is visually impaired due to her albinism, was crowned queen of triathlon with her gold at Tokyo 2020.also participated in the 1500m race, where he received a diploma. A historic double in Spanish Paralympic sport. No burn Even the accident did not prevent him from ending up in Paris as one of the greatest representatives of Spanish Paralympic sport.. Plus icon.

7. Teresa Perales (Zaragoza, 1975)

Mermaid Ebro She is the most successful Paralympic athlete in Spanish history with 27 medals (seven gold, ten silver and ten Paralympic bronze). and he is one step away from Phelps. Her dream is Tokyo 2020. The swimmer had to reclassify due to a shoulder injury and will be fighting to get back on the podium at her seventh Games. Teresa Perales, who lost mobility in her legs due to transverse myelitis at the age of 19, has been awarded the Princess of Asturias Award for Sport in 2021 and a very versatile figure. Throughout her life, she was a politician, actress, writer, teacher… but above all, a source of inspiration. Just a few months ago, UNED named her an honorary doctor.

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