Yanina Andrea Martinez

Started: She took up athletics in 2006 at school in Rosario, Argentina. (Athlete, 09 Nov 2019; nexosports.com.ar, 09 Nov 2018) Reason: She originally took part in swimming, until athletics coach Martin Arroyo invited her to try the sport. "Running is what I like the most." (Athlete, 09 Nov 2019; nexosports.com.ar, 09 Nov 2018; lacapital.com.ar, 28 Aug 2012) Awards: In 2020 she was named among the 100 Most Outstanding Sportspeople of the Decade for 2010 to 2019 in Argentina. (fundacionkonex.org, 23 Nov 2020) In 2016 and 2019 she received the Silver Olimpia award for best Para athlete of the season from the Sports Journalists' Association in Argentina. (redaccion.conclusion.com.ar, 18 Dec 2019; area18.com.ar, 20 Dec 2016) In 2019 she was given the Para Athlete of the Year Award in Santa Fe, Argentina. (ellitoral.com, 04 Dec 2019) In 2017 the city of Rosario in Argentina revealed a commemorative plaque with her name at the Jorge Newbery Municipal Stadium to honour her athletic achievements. (diariocruzdelsur.com.ar, 08 Aug 2017) She was Argentina's flag bearer at the closing ceremony of the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. (lacapital.com.ar, 18 Sep 2016) She was flag bearer for Argentina at the opening ceremony of the 2015 World Championships in Doha, Qatar. (paradeportes.com, 21 Oct 2015)