Juergen Schrapp

Started: He took up the sport in 1993. (Sitting Volleyball Team Germany Facebook page, 06 Oct 2023) Reason: He was interested in competing. (Athlete, 21 Aug 2021) Ambition: To win a medal at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (dbs-npc.de, 15 Aug 2024) Awards: In April 2020 he received a recognition award from World Para Volley. The organisation honoured a number of athletes that had helped shape the sport as part of the organisation's 40-year anniversary. (dbs-npc.de, 24 Apr 2020) Additional Info: RETIREMENT AND RETURN, SEVENTH PARALYMPIC GAMES He retired from competitive sitting volleyball in late 2016 in order to spend more time with his family, but returned to the sport during the qualifying period for the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. After turning 50 years old in 2024, he is set to make his seventh appearance at the Paralympic Games in 2024 in Paris, where he will serve as captain. "There are few sports that you can still play at a competitive level at the age of 50. Sitting volleyball is extremely fast, but you can compensate for a lot with experience and anticipation. I think the sport is just great. It's fun and can be played wonderfully by people with and without disabilities. Plus, it keeps you young when you're with young people and can keep up with them in terms of performance." (dbs-npc.de, 15 Aug 2024, 24 Apr 2020; nationalmannschaft-sitzvolleyball.de, 20 Dec 2016) OCCUPATION In July 2022 he was appointed head of supply management at a pharmaceutical company based in Leverkusen, Germany. He has worked in various positions at the company since 1994. "I am fortunate to be able to train and work in a great environment. The balance between sport and work has always worked for me." (dbs-npc.de, 15 Aug 2024; LinkedIn profile, 11 Apr 2024) COACHING He has served as an assistant coach of the German national women's sitting volleyball team. (nationalmannschaft-sitzvolleyball.de, 2015)