Erica Maria Castano Salazar

Started: She took up Para athletics in 2014 in Medellin, Colombia. (Athlete, 08 Nov 2019, 13 Jul 2017) Reason: After recovering from her injuries, she turned to sport as a way to help occupy her mind and give her a goal to work towards. She first tried Para swimming but, due to breathing problems, she switched to Para powerlifting. She was later invited to try throwing events in Para athletics. "I want to be an inspiration for other people to show they can overcome any problem." (senalcolombia.tv, 10 Mar 2021; Andres Mesa, 14 Jul 2016) Ambition: To win a Paralympic gold medal. (Athlete, 26 Aug 2024) Milestones: She became the first female Para athletics competitor representing Colombia to win a gold medal at the world championships when she was victorious in the F55 discus at the 2019 edition of the tournament in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (SportsDeskOnline, 15 May 2024) Awards: In 2022 she received the High Achievement Podium Athlete award from National School Sports [Institucion Universitaria Escuela Nacional del Deporte] in Colombia. (Instagram profile, 04 Dec 2022) Additional Info: FAMILY She sustained her impairment after she was hit by a stray bullet during a shooting at a shopping centre in Medellin, Colombia, in 2008. Five months earlier, her brother Carlos, who has also gone on to represent Colombia in Para athletics, sustained a serious injury in a similar incident at a shopping centre in Medellin. "At that time, it was difficult, above all, for my mother, who was the one who had to deal with everything. When I was shot I fell to the ground. I was aware that I would end up in a wheelchair, just like my brother, because he had told us what it felt like when he got shot. His story and what he had gone through made me accept my reality." (noticias.caracoltv.com, 15 Dec 2019; eltiempo.com, 08 Aug 2018) OCCUPATION She has worked as a lawyer, specialising in criminal law. She also has a degree in sports management. "All my life I wanted to be a lawyer. Finally, my plan was fulfilled, and I am very pleased about it. But I also want to continue my sporting career." (noticias.caracoltv.com, 15 Dec 2019; Athlete, 08 Nov 2019) OTHER ROLES In 2024 she was re-elected as an athlete representative at the Colombian Paralympic Committee. She is set to serve in the role until 2027. (cpc.org.co, 26 Feb 2024, 16 Feb 2021) ILLNESS In 2018 she had to take about one year away from the sport after she was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus. She returned to training in January 2019. (cpc.org.co, 16 Feb 2021)

Sporting Relatives: Her brother Carlos Roossellvelt has represented Colombia in Para athletics. (SportsDeskOnline, 07 Oct 2019; eltiempo.com, 08 Aug 2018)