Jose Gregorio Lemos Rivas

Started: He began practising athletics in 2001 and took up decathlon in 2009. (mundeportes.net, 17 Oct 2020) Reason: He was inspired to take up athletics by his sister Sandra. His coaches encouraged him to get involved in Para athletics after his diagnosis. (infobae.com, 29 Aug 2021; cpc.org.co, 27 Aug 2021) Milestones: He became the second Colombian to win a Paralympic gold medal in athletics when he claimed gold in the men's F38 javelin at the 2020 Games in Tokyo. (SportsDeskOnline, 02 Jul 2024) Additional Info: TIME ABROAD He spent seven years living in Puerto Rico when he was younger. "The seven years I lived in Puerto Rico, far away from my family and my country, taught me that you need to seize life's opportunities. Thanks to this experience, I grew up at an early age so I could focus on what I wanted." (mundeportes.net, 17 Oct 2020) FURTHER EDUCATION He has a master's degree in recreational and sports services administration from Ana G Mendez University in San Juan, Puerto Rico. (Facebook profile, 02 Aug 2021; mundeportes.net, 17 Oct 2020)

Sporting Relatives: His sister Sandra represented Colombia in shot put at the Olympic Games in 2012 and 2016. (SportsDeskOnline, 18 Aug 2021; mundeportes.net, 17 Oct 2020)