Legends of the Paralympics
Paralympians are some of the most incredible athletes to ever walks this planet. Despite physical challenges like amputations and cerebral palsy, these athletes perform at a level comparable to that of their able bodied peers. However, when one looks online to find the powerful stories of these athletes, almost nothing shows up. The goal of this anthology is to pay tribute to these fantastic athletes, and to provide inspiration to anyone who might want to follow their footsteps.
Marlou Van Rhijn
Marlou van Rhijn has been one of the most successful athletes of the 2010s despite being a double amputee. Marlou van Rhijn started out on the Dutch national team for disabled swimmers in early 2009. She was an immediate superstar, swimming in European and World championships. She set several Dutch records and was especially active in the 50 and 100 meter freestyle races. Van Rhijn stopped swimming in 2010 after coach Guido Bunsen (Parathletics) gave her an offer. She competes in the T44 class for the 100 and 200 meter races, entering the 2012 Paralympics only two years after starting the sport. She was immensely successful, winning several gold medals. For her dedication and perseverance to achieving success in sport, van Rhijn was awarded the position of Knight in the Order of Orange Nassau (Dutch equivalent of knighthood). Van Rhijn is active in advocacy, working to make Paralympic teams in smaller nations such as Aruba.
Yunidis Castillo
Yunidis Castillo is one of the most successful Paralympians to ever live. The Cuban has only been to three games, yet she has an astonishing five gold medals. At the 2012 London Paralympic Games, Castillo set several new world records. She also won three sprint gold medals in a row at the 2011 and 2013 world championships. Castillo's right arm had to be amputated after a car accident at the young age of 10, but she did not let it derail her athletic career. Castillo’s career is a reminder that with perseverance and hard work, athletic success is possible despite a disability.
Hollie Arnold
Hollie Arnold is a British Paralympic javelinist who was born without her right forearm. She is the youngest athlete to ever represent their country in either the Olympics or the Paralympics, joining the 2008 British Paralympic squad at the age of 14. After gaining more experience at the 2012 games, Hollie Arnold won the F46 Javelin at the 2016 Rio Paralympics, simultaneously achieving a world record. Arnold was made a member of the order of the British empire in 2017 for her athletic work as well as being an inspiration to millions of disabled children around the world. Arnold has a shocking 12 medals on the international stage throughout her athletic career, and presumably will have many more, as she is only 29. Javelin throwing may seem impossible if someone is missing one of their arms, but Hollie Arnold makes it look easy through hours of hard work and belief in herself
Trischa Zorn
Trischa Zorn is widely considered to be the greatest Paralympic athlete of all time. She was a Paralympic swimmer, and despite being blind she has one 55 medals and is a member of the Paralympic hall of fame. Zorn began her career at the University of Nebraska, and studied law at the IU Robert H McKinney School of Law. Zorn was a member of seven consecutive Paralympic Games, winning ten gold medals in one sitting at the 1992 Paralympic Games. Zorn also broke eight world records after the 2000 Paralympic Games. In 2005, Zorn was honored during New Years celebration on time square, and became a part of the hall of fame in 2012. Zorn has since retired and has become a symbol for excellence for athletes around the world.
Reinhild Moeller
Reinhild Moeller was a disabled German alpine skier. At the age of 3, she lost most of her left leg from an accident at the farm she was living at. She moved to the United States in 1990 where she married fellow Paralympics skier Reed Robinson. Meoeller has won a shocking 19 Paralympics medals, and has won four medals outside of skiing. Moeller is the first Paralympic athlete in history to gain a one million dollar sponsorship, showing how Paralympic athletics can be just as lucrative as able bodied athletics when one is exceptionally skilled. Moeller was skilled in track and field in addition to skiing, being active in the 1984 and 1988 Paralympics in that discipline. Moeller is an inspiration to all individuals with mobility restrictions. Moeller not only shows that skiing without a leg is possible, she also shows that one can ski and at a high level with a major disability.
Ragnihild Myklebust
Ragnhild Myklebust was a disabled Norwegian skier who dominated the Paralympic Games. Myklenust has 22 gold medals out of 27 medals in total, so she was formidable competition to anyone who tried to oppose her. Myklebust was a jack of all trades in the realm of Norwegian skiing, winning medals in races including cross country, relays, and biathlons. She was also prominent in ice sledge racing. Myklebust had polio at the age of two, and no one thought that she would make anything of herself. She could not even stand up on her own, but Myklebust invented her own style of skiing by sitting down. She was one of the most successful paralympians to ever live, and was able to ski more impressively than many able bodied professionals. She is truly an inspiration to those with neurodegenerative conditions such as AFM who believe that sports are impossible because they cannot stand up on their own.
Jonas Jacobsson
Jonas Jacobsen is a paralympic Swedish shooter who was immensely successful in the Paralympic Games. He was part of ten games in a row, where he won 30 medals in total, with 17 gold medals. In the 2000 Paralympic Games, Jacobsen won four medals in four events. When he went back in 2004 for the Athens games, Jacobsen one upped himself by getting gold in the same events. In 2008, Jacobsen became the undisputed greatest male Paralympic athlete of all time, winning his 16th gold medal. For his efforts, Jacobsen was awarded the Svenska Dagbladet Gold Medal, the highest award any athlete can recieve in Sweden. Jacobsen is also a symbol of athletic longevity, with his career spanning over two decades. Interestingly enough, Jacobsen was a member of the Swedish wheelchair basketball squad. Jacobsen’s story shows us that we should not be afraid of trying new things, like learning a new sport, if we are disabled. By stepping out of his comfort zone by playing basketball as well, Jacobssen embodies positive risk taking to improve oneself.
Roberto Marson
Roberto Marson was one of the first disabled multisport athletes to rise to prominence. He competed at only four Paralympic Games (many athletes competed at 6 or more), but won an outstanding 26 medals. Marson became paralyzed from the waist down when a tree fell on his back while lumbering. Marson joined the realm of Paralympics during the 1964 games. He finished just outside of the medals in the freestyle event, but was incredibly successful in fencing, winning a team gold medal and a silver in the individual event. Marson skyrocketed to prominence after winning ten gold medals at the games in Tel Aviv, Israel, in 1968. Marson perfected his swimming technique, this time winning three gold medals in three different events. He also continued his dominance in fencing when he won the individual gold medal. He won the javelin and discus gold medals as well, while taking medals in the club throw and shot put. He continued his dominance for two more Paralympic games before retiring and becoming the president of the Italian handicapped sports league. After his death in 2011, he was inducted into the Paralympic hall of fame. To add to his honors, a planet was named in his memory in 2021. In a time when there was little to no support for disabled athletes, Marson broke through barriers to become an icon for disabled individuals today.
Jessica Long
Jessica Long is a highly accomplished American Paralympic swimmer, renowned for her remarkable achievements and inspiring story. Born in Siberia with fibular hemimelia, a rare lower leg disorder, Long was adopted by an American couple at a young age. Despite her physical challenges, she discovered her passion for swimming and quickly excelled in the sport.
Throughout her illustrious career, Jessica Long has become one of the most decorated Paralympic athletes in history, competing in numerous Paralympic Games and World Championships. With her exceptional talent, determination, and unwavering focus, she has earned an impressive collection of medals, including numerous golds, silvers, and bronzes. Beyond her success in the pool, Long is also a symbol of resilience and perseverance. She has overcome adversity and embraced her differences, becoming an advocate for individuals with disabilities and an inspiration to countless people around the world.
Off the pool deck, Jessica Long is involved in various philanthropic endeavors, using her platform to raise awareness about adoption and support organizations that empower individuals with disabilities.
Jessica Long's extraordinary achievements, both in and out of the water, serve as a testament to the power of determination, resilience, and hope. Her story inspires people of all abilities to pursue their dreams and embrace their uniqueness, proving that with dedication and perseverance, anything is possible.
Sarah Storey
Sarah Storey is a remarkable British athlete celebrated for her incredible achievements in both cycling and swimming. Born in 1977 in Manchester, England, Storey began her sporting career as a swimmer, competing in the Paralympic Games as a teenager.
Throughout her swimming career, Sarah Storey amassed an impressive collection of medals, including multiple golds, silvers, and bronzes. She competed in several Paralympic Games, establishing herself as one of the most successful Paralympic swimmers of her generation. In 2005, Storey transitioned to para-cycling and quickly rose to prominence in the sport. With her exceptional talent, determination, and relentless work ethic, she became a dominant force on the cycling circuit, earning numerous titles and accolades. Throughout her cycling career, Sarah Storey has competed in multiple Paralympic Games and World Championships, consistently setting records and inspiring audiences with her performances. Off the bike, Storey is an advocate for disability rights and equality in sports. She uses her platform to raise awareness about the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and to promote inclusivity and accessibility in all areas of life. Sarah Storey's extraordinary achievements, both as an athlete and as an advocate, serve as a testament to her resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment to excellence. Her legacy inspires people of all abilities to overcome obstacles and pursue their dreams with passion and determination.
Heinz Frei
Heinz Frei is one of the greatest wheelchair athletes of all time. Frei represented the Swiss at the London Marathon three times and won five medals at the European Games despite being nearly 45 years old. Frei became a household name among disabled athletes when he won fifteen gold medals at the Paralympics and set the world record for the marathon in a wheelchair. Frei amazingly competed in the disability equivalent of cycling, using an extremely difficult hand cycle. Frei has also competed in cross country skiing and the Biathlon. Frei is an inspiration because of his dedication to doing immensely difficult sports. Doing a marathon using one’s arms to propel themselves forward is likely the most difficult task in all of sports, and Frei has been successful in it many times. Frei teaches us to revel in difficulty and work hard so that we may accomplish our goals.
Ihar Boki
Ihar Boki is one of the most successful disabled swimmers of all time. Boki was born with a visual impairment, but has not let that stop him. Competing for Belarus, he competed in three Paralympic Games from 2012 to 2020, winning an astonishing 16 gold medals. He also is the world record holder for many S13 races, including the 100,200, and 400 meters races. Boki holds numerous awards, including the prestigious disabled swimmer of the year by swimming world. Boki was also honored with his likeness on a stamp of Belarus in 2016. Boki won the 2016 Olympics by winning the most gold medal of any athlete across all sports. Boki is the most decorated Paralympic swimmer of all time and is considered by many to be the greatest swimmer of all time across both the Olympics and Paralympics.
Lee Pearson
Sir David Lee Pearson is the greatest disabled equestrian of all time. He holds 14 Paralympic gold medals, and has represented the British in the games on six different occasions. In addition to his Paralympic medals, he has won 30 gold medals in different international competitions. Pearson has a condition called arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, which is characterized by several joint impairments and extreme muscle weakness. Pearson was first given international attention as a child, when former prime minister Margaret Thatcher carried him up the stairs of her office to award him the children of courage medal. As an adult, Pearson went on to win numerous team and individual events. Pearson’s list of awards is lengthy, being given an honors doctorate from staffordshire in 2005, member of the order of the british empire, new years honors for disabled sports, commander of the british empire, and knighthood. Pearson demonstrates that international recognition and success is possible even with a neurodegenerative condition.
Sophie Pasco
Dame Sophie Francis Pascoe is an extremely New Zealand Paralympic swimmer. She has been to four Paralympic Games, winning a total of eleven gold medals and 19 medals in total. She is the most successful paralympian from New Zealand. When Pasco was two years old, her father ran her over with a ride on a lawnmower, causing her leg to be amputated. She started to swim at the age of seven despite losing her leg, and was so dominant that she made her way to the Paralympic national team. She became the youngest Paralympic athlete to represent New Zealand. Her dominance was rewarded when she was elected the country's favorite Paralympic athlete, and won gold in the 200 meter race at the age of 15. She was given New Years honors and added to the Order of Merit for her amazing achievement. She became the disabled sports person of the year in 2011 as well. She also holds several records, breaking her own record several times in the 50 meter butterfly. In 2022, she was given the position of Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.