Leo-Pekka Tahti

Started: He took up the sport at age eight. (Athlete, 21 Aug 2021) Reason: A sports enthusiast his whole life, he began playing wheelchair basketball as a boy. He became interested in wheelchair racing after taking part in a half marathon in May 1998. (leopekkatahti.fi, 01 Sep 2018) Awards: He and equestrian Laura Kangasniemi were Finland's flag bearers at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. He was also flag bearer for Finland at the opening ceremony of the 2012 Paralympic Games in London. (medias.paris2024.org, 28 Aug 2024; paralympic.org, 29 Aug 2012) In 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2011 he was named Para Athlete of the Year by the Finnish Amateur Athletic Association [SUL]. (yle.fi, 17 Dec 2018; leopekkatahti.fi, 01 Sep 2018; kestavyysurheilu.fi, 30 Nov 2017) In 2016 he was named Sports Personality of the Year by the Finland Sport Journalist Union. He became the first Para athlete to receive the award. (paralympic.org, 25 Jan 2017) In 2012 he was named First Class Knight of the Order of the Lion of Finland by the president of Finland. (Instagram profile, 06 Dec 2018; leopekkatahti.fi, 01 Sep 2018) In 2012 he received the Moment of the Year Award from the Finnish Olympic Committee in recognition of the gold medal he won in the T54 100m at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London. (suomenurheilugaala.fi, 2016) Additional Info: FUTURE PLANS Having previously considered retirement ahead of the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, he has said he intends to retire from Para athletics after the 2024 Games in Paris. "Somehow I feel like I got even more hungry because of the coronavirus [pandemic]. My decision about my future career has been made. It will come to an end at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. Of course I want to end my career with a gold medal around my neck. My sister and I founded a joint marketing company a couple of years ago [speaking in 2022]. The goal is to run this business full-time when my career ends." (respecta.fi, 18 Oct 2023, 07 Oct 2020; iltalehti.fi, 06 Jul 2023, 31 Oct 2022; Facebook page, 12 May 2022; mtvuutiset.fi, 21 Oct 2020) MEDIA ATTENTION After he won two gold medals at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens he initially struggled with the increased media attention. "At first, I didn't enjoy it at all. After Athens, publicity came from everywhere. Suddenly, everyone recognised you, there were invitations to events, and my face was on the cover of magazines. It was a strange feeling. I was really shy at the time, and with the publicity increase, I became even more reserved. Over the years, however, I began to get used to the publicity. I was getting more relaxed with the reporters and I learned to smile a little. However, I still don't like talking to strangers when I'm in public. I understand that people sincerely want to encourage me. Still, getting attention often feels stressful. Sometimes you feel paranoid. Imagining that everyone recognises you, although I'm sure they don't." (apu.fi, 21 Nov 2020) BOOK In 2020 his biography was released. The book was written by Finnish sports journalists Harri Laiho and Juha Luotola. "There aren't that many books about Para athletes. If someone identifies with the story of the book, then it's succeeded. The book contains details about my personal life that haven't been revealed before." (mtvuutiset.fi, 21 Oct 2020; respecta.fi, 07 Oct 2020) WINTER BASE He has spent the northern hemisphere winter months in Fuengirola, Spain, since 2008. "I first went to Vigo, I didn't understand the language. And the locals weren't too keen to speak English. Although the life is busy and training levels are insanely high, I like the lifestyle of the locals. They're a lot more relaxed." (yle.fi, 19 Jan 2024; iltalehti.fi, 31 Oct 2022; is.fi, 14 Sep 2019)