The Paris Paralympics 2024 will be drawing to a close this Sunday, September 8. As usual the sporting event has given millions of people a chance to marvel at individuals who have often surpassed medical expectations and beaten records in their disciplines, thanks to their determination and dedication.
Here are just a very few athletes who have impressed the world:
1
Jodie Grinham — a golden pregancy
The British archer won a won gold medal in the mixed team compound archery and bronze in women’s compound archery, all while seven months pregnant. Thanks to her success she became the first pregnant athlete to win a medal at the Paralympics
In an interview after the event she stated:
“I wanted to show that I am not here to participate pregnant. I am here to compete and win medals pregnant. And I think I got that cross, which I’m really glad about.”
She also shared that she’d just felt baby the kick; perhaps the little bundle was giving their seal of approval!
2
Sheetal Devi — climbing to success
At just 17 years of age, the teen Indian archer Sheetal Devi became the first ever woman without any upper limbs to win an international title in archery.
Born with phocomelia, a disorder that leads to underdeveloped limbs, the teen uses her legs to launch her bow. And in Paris, she not only did so under the watchful eye of the world’s press, she also managed to hit the bullseye.
The Olympics website shared how the youngster had impressed the Indian army by her athleticism when they saw her passion for climbing trees with just her legs five years ago. Since then, they’ve supported her athletic career and watched her climb to even greater heights with her impressive collection of medals, including a bronze in this year’s Paralympics.
3
Dayna Crees — overcoming bullies
Australian Dayna Crees overcame years of bullying to win bronze in the women’s javelin throw F34. Born with hereditary spastic paraplegia, Crees grew up with muscle weakness that led to such bullying at school that she struggled with her mental health and needed to take anti-depressants.
However in her first ever Paralympics, she not only threw a personal best, she won a bronze medal. The Olympics website shared one of her old Instagram posts that stated: “At the end of the day, no matter how many times you get knocked down, pick yourself up and achieve what you know you can achieve.”
4
Paolo Camanni — Raised by Catholic nuns
At two years of age Dongdong “Paolo” Camanni was brought to the House of Dawn in China where the sisters welcomed the little boy who suffered from bilateral retinoblastoma — an extremely dangerous tumor in the eye with a high risk of death. Over the years the order has cared for hundreds of abandoned disabled children. Thanks to their care and devotion, and the help of an Italian journalist, they were able to find him an adoptive family in Italy, according to Fides.
The young boy went on to play the piano and get involved with the Scouts, and studied electrical engineering, but he also showed his talents for judo. The judoka will be taking part in the -73 kg category elimination rounds on Friday and will no doubt have the prayers and support of the sisters who so lovingly cared for him and gave him a real chance of life.
5
Jessica Long — adoption advocate
Long is one of America’s most prolific medal-winning athletes, with 30 medals achieved in her Paralympic career — 17 of those being gold.
While her swimming career is remarkable, so too is her journey to become the incredible athlete she is today. Adopted from a Siberian orphanage by an American family, she underwent a double-amputation below the knees due to fibular hemimelia at 18 months. However, as she shares on her website: “her adopted family would not let her physical differences limit her potential.” With their support she became the world-class athlete she is today.
She has openly shared her admiration for her adoptive parents, who’d had two biological children, but then struggled with fertility. They spent time in prayer trying to discern whether they should adopt. Their journey took them to the orphanage where they met Jessica and another little boy with a cleft palate. They adopted both children, brought them back to the States, and went on to have two more biological children!
And today we celebrate...