Teijo Koopikka

Started: Having previously competed in non-Para shot put, he began training for the Para version of the discipline in 2022. (iltalehti.fi, 11 Jul 2023; yle.fi, 09 Jul 2023) Reason: He became inspired to try Para shot put after watching a video of the sport from the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. "It really motivated me that I get to compete against people who are in the same situation as me." (iltalehti.fi, 11 Jul 2023; yle.fi, 09 Jul 2023) Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (iltalehti.fi, 11 Jul 2023) Awards: He received the Jokeri Award at the 2023 Satakunta Sports Gala in Finland. (Instagram profile, 04 Feb 2024; liiku.fi, 03 Feb 2024) Additional Info: RETURN AS A PARA ATHLETE He previously competed in non-Para athletics and represented Finland in the sport at junior level. Later in life he stayed involved in sport as a volleyball coach, before he decided to return to athletics in his 40s. "At no point did I get rid of the athlete in me. At first I didn't feel like going to the athletics field, but I found a suitable sense of community in the team sport [volleyball]. I got a new chance to fulfil an old dream. It was an Olympic dream. And still is. My dream is to survive and succeed in the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris." (iltalehti.fi, 11 Jul 2023; yle.fi, 09 Jul 2023; yleisurheilu.fi, 10 May 2023; Facebook profile, 01 Oct 2022)

Sporting Relatives: His younger brother Timo has represented Finland in shot put at junior level, including at the 2013 European Junior Championships in Rieti, Italy. (SportsDeskOnline, 17 Oct 2023; iltalehti.fi, 11 Jul 2023; yle.fi, 09 Jul 2023)