Dimitri Jozwicki

Started: He took up athletics in 2010, and began competing in Para athletics in 2016. (enroutepourrio.eu, 13 Jun 2017) Reason: He previously played rugby with his twin brother Remi. Once his impairment began to limit his ability to play rugby, he began focusing on athletics, and was inspired by the performance of French sprinter Christophe Lemaitre at the 2010 European Championships in Barcelona, Spain. (peperenews.fr, 12 Jan 2020; enroutepourrio.eu, 13 Jun 2017) Ambition: To win a medal at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (dimjoz.com, 24 Feb 2021) Awards: In 2019 he was named among the Best Athletes of the Year of the municipality of Tourcoing, France. (ville-tourcoing.fr, 01 Dec 2019) Additional Info: OCCUPATION He has worked as an occupational therapist for a French organisation that supports people with an impairment. Ahead of the 2024 Paralympic Games he was able to work part-time without losing any income. "It's a relief for me because I'm not worried about what may happen as I now know that I have all the logistic and financial resources to go get a medal. Without occupational therapy, I would not have been able to complete normal education, and I would not have been able to be the person I am today. For me, it's important to prepare for after my elite sporting career." (France 3 Grand Est YouTube channel, 19 Feb 2024; sport.francetvinfo.fr, 18 Feb 2021; handisport-hautsdefrance.org, 27 Feb 2020)

Sporting Relatives: His twin brother Remi has served as a guide for visually impaired athletes at club level in France. (peperenews.fr, 12 Jan 2020; enroutepourrio.eu, 28 Jul 2017)