Coty Garrone

Started: She took up the sport in 2013 in Haedo, Argentina. (Athlete, 22 Aug 2021) Reason: She was a gymnast before her accident. A school psychologist suggested she take up table tennis after her injury. "Facing the accident was very hard for me, but I never lost my passion for sports." (laexcusadeportiva.com.ar, 20 Oct 2020; seccionnoticias.net.pe, 22 Aug 2019; Athlete, 22 Aug 2021) Ambition: To win a Paralympic medal. (Athlete, 22 Aug 2021) Awards: She and Para athlete Hernan Barreto were named as Argentina's flag bearers for the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (salta.gob.ar, 10 Jul 2024) She received the 2021 'Olimpia de Plata' [Silver Olympia] Award as the Best Para Table Tennis Player of the Year in Argentina by the Sports Journalists' Circle. (lanacion.com.ar, 14 Dec 2021) She received the Jorge Newbery Award as the Best Para Table Tennis Player of the Year for 2021 in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina. (buenosaires.gob.ar, 27 May 2022) Additional Info: OTHER ACTIVITIES She presents 'Sin Barreras' [Without Barriers], a weekly radio programme that is also available on YouTube. The show focuses on the social inclusion of people with impairments. "I love getting closer to people and motivating others by talking about my life story and the limitations that I encountered at the beginning. That is something I did not have and I don't want other people to go through the same process." (discapacidad.tv, 29 Mar 2021; laexcusadeportiva.com.ar, 20 Oct 2020; seccionnoticias.net.pe, 22 Aug 2019) FURTHER EDUCATION She has studied for a post graduate degree in sports psychology. (Deportv YouTube channel, 28 May 2024)

Sporting Relatives: Her partner Aleksy Kaniuka has represented Argentina in Para table tennis at the Parapan American Games, winning silver in 2019 and bronze in 2023. (SportsDeskOnline, 10 Jun 2024)