Jonas Van de Steene

Started: He began cycling at age six. After acquiring his impairment he took up handcycling in 2013 at the Feniks club in Dendermonde, Belgium. (Athlete, 21 Aug 2021; nieuwsblad.be, 13 May 2020, 20 May 2016; parantee-psylos.be, 31 Oct 2019) Reason: He was introduced to the sport during his rehabilitation by Feniks club member Ivan Van de Vyver. (parantee-psylos.be, 31 Oct 2019; generation-what.be, 17 May 2016) Awards: He was named Male Athlete of the Year for 2023 by the Belgian Paralympic Committee. (paralympic.be, 22 Feb 2024) Additional Info: LIVING IN LANZAROTE In 2014 he travelled to Lanzarote in the Canary Islands to take part in a competition. He liked the island so much that he decided to take up permanent residence there. "I signed up for a race in 2014 that is held here in Playa Blanca, in February. I came with the idea of staying for two weeks, competing and disconnecting, but I fell in love with the island. The days turned into weeks, months, and that brings us up to today when I have my residence here. The island is well adapted for Para cycling athletes, and it also has magnificent weather conditions all year round." (lanzaroteesd.com, 31 Oct 2023)