Vinicius Goncalves Rodrigues

Started: He was running with a prosthesis five months after his accident at age 19. (jornalmateriaprima.com.br, 02 May 2016) Reason: He was encouraged to take up the sport by Brazilian Para athlete Terezinha Guilhermina, who was from his hometown and had some mutual friends with him. She showed him a video of German Para sprinter Heinrich Popow and gave him her team uniform from the 2008 Paralympic Games when she visited him in hospital. "She brought me light. I didn't have time to get depressed. I started with rehab hoping to walk and run again. And I was able to reach my goal five months after the accident." (cpb.org.br, 01 Sep 2019; jornalmateriaprima.com.br, 02 May 2016) Ambition: To compete at the Paralympic Games in 2024 and 2028. (esportes.r7.com, 28 Apr 2021) Additional Info: INSPIRATIONAL FIGURES He was motivated to pursue a career in the sport by Brazilian Para athlete Terezinha Guilhermina and German Para athlete Heinrich Popow. Guilhermina visited him in hospital three days after his accident to suggest that he try Para athletics and also provided him with financial support. "They [Guilhermina and Popow] are like my godparents and they are world record holders and Paralympic champions. If I get to be half of what they are and make my mark in Paralympic history like they did, I'd be very content. There's no better teacher than a world record holder. Terezinha gave me this new dream. She helped me with therapy, paid my travel expenses, financially supported me and encouraged me every step along the way. Heinrich has supported me by helping me get the prosthesis to compete and with his advice. I wanted to race against him, but he was smart and retired." (esportes.r7.com, 28 Apr 2021; paralympic.org, 25 Jul 2019)