Veronica Yoko Plebani

Started: She took up Para triathlon in 2017, having previously competed in Para canoe and Para snowboard. (vogue.com, 05 Feb 2019) Reason: She was inspired after attending a triathlon event at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, where she had competed in Para canoe. "It was love at first sight. I remember asking for information from some triathletes in the canteen about distances, rules, how it worked. Then when I was back in Italy, I immediately started preparing for this new experience." (tuttobiciweb.it, 13 Jul 2021) Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (707team.com, 25 Oct 2023) Milestones: She was one of the first two female triathletes to win a medal for Italy in the sport at the Paralympic Games. She claimed bronze in the women's PTS2 event on the same day that compatriot Anna Barbaro won silver in the women's PTVI event at the 2020 Games in Tokyo. (SportsDeskOnline, 01 Jul 2024) Additional Info: FURTHER EDUCATION She has studied for a master's degree in information, culture and media organisation at the University of Bologna in Italy. (fitri.it, 01 Jan 2023) FAVOURITE DISCIPLINE She says cycling is her favourite discipline in Para triathlon. "If I really have to choose, cycling is my favourite. I feel good on the bike and I have a lot of fun. I feel free, with the fact that I can do long laps and pedal for miles. And I can also do it with friends as well as teammates." (tuttobiciweb.it, 13 Jul 2021) BODY IMAGE She says she has been open about her impairment through social media to promote a positive message. "I'm very bad when it comes to sticking to skincare and makeup. At first I wasn't so confident showing my 'new body' with all of these scars, but then I realised that it could help break prejudices and stereotypes. When I shared photos of me in swimwear for the first time, I was shocked by all the positive messages. With body positivity, social media is helping to contribute to a more confident society. Not long ago [speaking in July 2021] a mother from Australia messaged me to say that she has a six-year-old girl suffering from the same disease as me, and refusing to go to school because she was ashamed to have different tutors and shoes. She showed her daughter what I do, and since then the little girl has been enthusiastic and showing my photos to her friends. If I can help, even just one girl or boy, to feel more confident in his or her body, that means the world to me." (tuttobiciweb.it, 13 Jul 2021; repubblica.it, 31 Jan 2021; vogue.com, 05 Feb 2019) OTHER ACTIVITIES In 2021 she began serving as a representative for Para triathletes with the Italian Paralympic Committee [CIP]. She has also served as an ambassador of Art4sport, a non-governmental organisation that encourages young people with limb deficiencies to try sport. (fitri.it, 07 May 2021; repubblica.it, 31 Jan 2021; letteradonna.it, 29 Apr 2016) BOOK In 2020 she released the novel 'Fiori affamati di vita' [Flowers hungry for life]. "In the book I tell a story of when I was in hospital, I thought I had to be like a flower that had to learn to roar. At some point I did it. I didn't want to write an autobiography, so I thought a novel would be the best genre." (bgsalute.it, 09 Feb 2021; corriere.it, 13 Dec 2020; intoscana.it, 23 Oct 2020) NAME ORIGIN Her middle name Yoko was given to her by her mother, who liked Buddhist culture. "My mother wanted the name because it means sunny and cheerful. It is also the name given to Japanese girls who are born in March." (tuttobiciweb.it, 13 Jul 2021)