Wim de Paepe

Started: He used to compete in Para swimming at an elite level. He began cycling and running during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. (sillonbelge.be, 22 Jun 2023) Reason: "Sport has always been a family affair. I remember my dad and his brothers going running on the weekends. They also tried their hands at marathons. So it's quite natural that we have an interest in it. After I lost part of my right leg, I still wanted to practise a sport. My sister was already swimming. So, I decided to move towards swimming because it did not require specific equipment, and it could help me relearn how to live with this new body." (sillonbelge.be, 22 Jun 2023) Ambition: To win a medal at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (antennecentre.tv, 04 Jul 2024) Awards: In 2021 and 2022 he was named Para Triathlete of the Year by Belgian Triathlon. (triathlon.be, 17 Dec 2022) Additional Info: BREAK AND RETURN He took a break from competitive sport after missing out on a spot in Para swimming for the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing. He then spent time working as a physiotherapist and began training in osteopathy. He began cycling and running during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 before returning to competitive sport as a Para triathlete. "Sport still had a place in my life but not at a [competitive] level, I was swimming and training just for fun. It was the pandemic that triggered me. This forced me to slow down at work, and I started cycling and doing a little more sport. I noticed that it brought me a certain balance. I said to myself, 'I know how to swim and ride a bike, why not try running?' To do this, it was necessary to invest in a running prosthesis. I don't like to do things half-heartedly, so I decided to go all out with the aim of proving myself in Para triathlon." (sillonbelge.be, 22 Jun 2023)