Nico van der Burgt

Started: He took up Para triathlon in 2018 at the Olympic Training Centre Papendal in the Netherlands. He began competing internationally one year later. (athletesportsworld.com, 20 Jan 2023) Reason: "As a child I always had the energy, I did judo, gymnastics, water polo, hockey, all at the same time. Para triathlon and elite sport started as a joke. A friend of mine, who was a doctor, asked me, 'Nico, why don't you participate in Para triathlon? You've already trained so much and delivered great results'. I thought I wasn't disabled and at first I didn't see any point in it. Still, I went to a sports talent day at Papendal Sports Centre [in the Netherlands] in 2018, which turned out well." (athletesportsworld.com, 20 Jan 2023) Ambition: To win gold at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (athletesportsworld.com, 20 Jan 2023)