Gauthier Makunda

Started: He took up athletics at age 14 at school in France. (seniormaispastrop.com, 26 Jun 2014) Reason: A sports teacher encouraged him to practise sprinting, and he was inspired by US sprinter Carl Lewis. "My dream began after I saw a documentary on Carl Lewis at the 1984 Olympics. I wanted to beat records, make crowds cheer and win medals, like him. All big projects start with a dream, and mine was of Carl Lewis." (issy.com, 01 Mar 2024; sans-filtre.fr, 12 Sep 2017; seniormaispastrop.com, 26 Jun 2014) Ambition: To win gold at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (issy.com, 01 Mar 2024) Additional Info: FAREWELL AFTER PARIS 2024 He has said the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris will be his last Games. "The Paralympics are the holy grail. We eat, sleep, train and live for it. I've already participated in four Paralympic Games, and these ones [in 2024] will be even more special because they are happening in my country. They will be my last Games, because I am 40 years old. It's going to be magic, I'm more motivated than ever. I've already won five Paralympic medals, but I'm missing a gold, so that's what I'm aiming for. Objectively, I know I am capable of doing so. I am proud [of my career], I achieved what I wanted to achieve. For me, there is no question of regret about my life. I savour what God has given me, the chance to live in a country where you can study or play high-level sport despite a disability. And I can see, so to speak, the pride in my children's eyes, I feel it. I am an example to them." (issy.com, 01 Mar 2024) OCCUPATION He works for France's national railway network, SNCF. "When I arrived at SNCF, I realised the need of having something to do after my sporting career. This job allows me to turn the page of my life. Because after my sports career is over, life still goes on." (issy.com, 01 Mar 2024; sncf.com, 24 Sep 2020, 29 Jan 2020) FROM DR CONGO TO FRANCE He was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. At age three he was diagnosed with a visual impairment. "My father [a doctor] tried to fix it, but was unable to. We came to France for treatment, but soon discovered the damage was irreversible." He gained French citizenship in 2004. (leparisien.fr, 16 Jul 2017; athletesmondiaux.com, 20 Nov 2010)