Marlene van Gansewinkel

Started: She took up Para athletics at age 17 in Tilburg, Netherlands. (Athlete, 06 Nov 2019) Reason: She tried a number of sports growing up but was not convinced by any of them. She then went to a Paralympic talent day in Amsterdam, Netherlands, where she was spotted by Para athletics coach Guido Bonsen. "I chose cycling and athletics, but I quickly dropped the bikes. [Athletics] felt like it suited me really well." (Athlete, 06 Nov 2019; uitmagazine.com, 03 May 2019) Awards: She was named the 2018 Para Athlete of the Year by the Dutch Athletics Federation. (Instagram profile, 13 Dec 2018; teamnl.org, 12 Dec 2018) In 2016 and 2017 she was named Para Athlete of the Year at the Tilburg Sports Gala in the Netherlands. (Instagram profile, 16 Dec 2017; tilburgssportgala.nl, 15 Dec 2016) Additional Info: CLUB FOUNDER She followed coach Guido Bonsen when he moved his training base from the National Sports Centre Papendal to Amsterdam, Netherlands. In October 2017 the pair, alongside Dutch Para athlete Fleur Jong, founded the Team Para Atletiek club. "By following Guido I did not opt for certainty. I swam a bit against the current, I stood up for myself. This has made me stronger, more independent. That choice was immediately reflected in my performance. I am better in every way, as a person, as a student. I have found my place and I am happier. This has been a very special journey and I am so proud of the team we put together and how we also give back to society." (appm.nl, 10 May 2022; bndestem.nl, 29 Feb 2020; uitmagazine.com, 03 May 2019; ossur.nl, 17 Jan 2019; Facebook profile, 02 Jun 2018; Twitter profile, 20 Oct 2017) EARLY DAYS She gave up football when she took up Para athletics in 2012. She had taken part in a number of non-Para sports growing up. "I wanted to do the sports that my classmates did, and I wanted to do it in the normal way because my prosthesis makes almost anything possible. I cycled on a regular bicycle, not on a modified one. I once rode it for a total of three days. That's how I wanted to play football too, not at a club for the disabled. The only sport where I had to join a special association was horse riding. They were too careful with me there, which wasn't necessary at all. That may have been ignorance, but my riding lessons didn't last long." (Instagram profile, 21 Nov 2022; uitmagazine.com, 03 May 2019)