Unstoppable Paralympians
The Paris Olympics gave us everything we desired: historic moments, nail-biting finishes, stylish outfits, meme-able breakdancing, wholesome couples content, and most of all, stories of Olympians achieving their dreams. It’s not over yet because the Paralympics have just begun - here are some of their heartwarming stories.
Tracy Otto - Archery
USA Archery
Tracy Otto became paralyzed for the rest of her life when she was attacked by her ex-boyfriend. Five years ago, she was stabbed in the back which left her paralyzed and with multiple other complications - like her body’s inability to regulate its temperature. Otto proved her strength and resilience and took up archery on a whim when she found out she lived close to an adaptive archery course. She releases arrows from her mouth and uses a specially designed harness. The Paralympics were always on her mind, and she succeeded when she made the Team USA roster earlier this year. Hers is an incredibly moving story as she has been a champion for women all over the world.
Hunter Woodhall - Track and Field
You’ve probably already seen Hunter Woodhall at the Olympics when his wife, Tara Davis-Woodhall, won gold in the long jump competition and immediately ran over to him to celebrate. Woodhall's Paris experience won't end there. He had both of his legs amputated at 11 months old and made history when he became the first double amputee to earn an NCAA Division 1 athletic scholarship. His Paralympics success already includes one silver and two bronze from Tokyo and Rio, and he will surely be eyeing up gold in Paris. We have no doubt that his wife will be in the stands cheering him on in the same way that he was for her.
Valentina Petrillo - Track and Field
Getty Images
Valentina Petrillo is the first openly transgender athlete to compete at the Paralympics. Representing Italy, she was born visually impaired and lost her sight at the age of 14 after receiving a Stargardt disease diagnosis. She is competing in the 200m and 400m races at the Paralympics for the first time. She came out as transgender in 2017 and began transitioning in 2019. Yet the road to her Paralympic qualification has not been easy. Other sprinters in her events have publicly disagreed with the World Para Athletes’ decision to allow her and other transgender females to take part in the competition, so she has battled a great deal of criticism. Nevertheless, she is making history for her community and hopes that there will be more stories like hers in the future.
Oliver Lam-Watson - Fencing
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Team GB’s Oliver Lam-Watson was born with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome, a rare vascular condition that affects his left leg. By chance, he took up wheelchair fencing and now, he is one of the best wheelchair fencers competing in Paris. Lam-Watson spent six years studying architecture, including getting a Master’s degree, before he took up wheelchair fencing which has led him to his second Paralympics. Not only that, he is the prime example of using his platform positively as he has become an ambassador for disability inclusion. On his social media channels, he provides his followers with insights into his life as a wheelchair fencer with a disability, speaks about mental health, and advocates for the disabled population. He even gave a TEDx talk at the Barbican Center in London on reframing disability.
Every Paralympian taking part in Paris 2024 has had to overcome obstacles and challenges in their lives, and every single story is inspirational in itself. The Paralympics are a wonderful time to recognize the hardships they have had to go through and the hard work that has been put in for them to live out their dreams of doing what they love while competing on the world’s biggest stage.