Ana Maria Vitelaru

Started: She took up cycling in 2013. (buonepratichesociali.cittadinanzattiva-er.it, 19 Jul 2019) Reason: "In 2013 I was in Liguria [Italy] for a wheelchair basketball tournament, and I saw these bicycles. After the first time I got on one, I knew that I would never want to get off." (buonepratichesociali.cittadinanzattiva-er.it, 19 Jul 2019) Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (ilrestodelcarlino.it, 12 Nov 2023) Additional Info: TREKKING PASSION She refused to give up her love for mountain trekking following her accident at age 17. "They told me that I would never be able to trek in the mountains again and that I could not tackle the climbs. But, in September 2014, I proved that I could by walking eight-and-a-half kilometres with prostheses in Val Pusteria [Italy]. Then I realised that nothing is impossible." (ilmessaggero.it, 14 Jul 2019) FROM ROMANIA TO ITALY Born in Romania, she moved to Italy at age 17. (lapelleazzurra.it, 21 Apr 2020; incodaalgruppo.gazzetta.it, 17 Nov 2016) OCCUPATION She has worked in the textile industry. (lapelleazzurra.it, 21 Apr 2020) ZANARDI'S HANDCYCLE During the 2024 season she competed using the personal handcycle of Alex Zanardi, an Italian Para cyclist who won four gold medals across the 2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games. She expects to ride the handcycle at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. "It's my companion in adventures. Ours, as I like to call it. It's Alessandro Zanardi's personal handbike and I want to honour it in the best possible way." (obiettivo3.com, 2022; reggionline.com, 15 Jun 2024)