Fanni Illes

Started: She began swimming at age 12 in Heviz, Hungary. (paralympic.org, 28 Jan 2021; Athlete, 12 Sep 2019) Reason: Her doctor recommended swimming as a form of rehabilitation. She was also inspired by Hungarian Para swimmer Dora Pasztory. "What started as a joke by my father, that I would qualify for the [Paralympic] Games in Beijing [in 2008], actually became a reality. I was so excited to get my first swimsuit and learn to swim. From the get-go it was obvious that I had found my natural and happy place in the water where everything is much easier. Swimming means everything to me. It helped me to accept myself and I believe it can help other people to accept themselves too. It gave me goals to become my own hero, the sportswoman who achieves great things. It also built my self-confidence. People no longer pitied me but started to appreciate me and applaud my success." (paralympic.org, 28 Jan 2021; Athlete, 13 Aug 2018; webbeteg.hu, 02 Sep 2012) Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (infostart.hu, 01 May 2024) Milestones: At age 16 years and 139 days, she was the youngest athlete from any sport to represent Hungary at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing. (SportsDeskOnline, 09 Aug 2019; webbeteg.hu, 02 Sep 2012) Awards: She was named as flag bearer for Hungary for the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (hparalimpia.hu, 05 Jul 2024) In 2020 she was named Female Athlete of the Year by Glamour, a Hungarian fashion magazine. (paralympic.org, 28 Jan 2021) She was named the 2019 University Athlete of the Year by Eotvos Lorand University in Budapest, Hungary. (parauszas.hu, 01 Jan 2020; llesfanni.hu, 24 Dec 2019) In 2008 she was named Person of the Year, Female Athlete of the Year, and Student Athlete of the Year in Zala, Hungary. (parauszas.hu, 01 Jan 2020; llesfanni.hu, 24 Dec 2019) Additional Info: MATERNITY BREAK After giving birth to her son Mor in July 2022, she did not compete at a major international competition until the 2024 European Championships in Madeira, Portugal. "I live my everyday life as a happy mother. At the pool it's been a little more difficult. I will continue to train hard. My goal is for everything to be restored and to be able to swim well in Paris [at the 2024 Paralympic Games]." (infostart.hu, 01 May 2024) FOUNDATION In 2006 her parents set up the Golden Butterfly Foundation in Hungary to help support her training and buy her swimming equipment. The organisation has also mentored other children since 2019. "In the last two years [speaking in 2021] all the donations have been used to support local Para swimmers with their needs. They are around 15 years old and are the shining hope for the future. I always try to show a good example. I enjoy inspiring others and believe if there is only one person whose life I can have an impact on, I am happy." (paralympic.org, 28 Jan 2021)