Tristan Bangma

Started: He went on bike rides with his father from age eight, and began to pursue Para cycling in 2012. (tristanbangma.nl, 01 Mar 2015) Reason: He played basketball when he was younger but was unable to continue with the sport as his vision deteriorated. His father then introduced him to tandem cycling, and after three years he decided to attend a Dutch Olympic Committee*Dutch Sports Federation [NOC*NSF] talent day. He tried four Para sports at the event but decided to pursue cycling. "I was incredibly tense. October 4th 2012, I remember it [the date] exactly. The Paralympic Games in London had just ended. I had seen the Paralympic cyclists win on TV. I wanted that too. On the talent day I tried out athletics, goalball, rowing and cycling. The coaches were all enthusiastic about me. But the choice was quickly made, cycling has my heart." (tristanbangma.nl, 01 Mar 2015; teamnl.org, 06 Mar 2024) Ambition: To win three gold medals at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (teamnl.org, 06 Mar 2024) Awards: He received the Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau in the Netherlands after winning gold at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. (lc.nl, 14 Sep 2019) Additional Info: TANDEM TEAM He began working with pilot Patrick Bos after the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. "Now [speaking in 2023] I have world titles and Paralympic titles to my name, I have achieved something. Sponsorship now involves serious contracts. We invest everything in the sport. My pilot Patrick Bos and I are our own commercial team on the tandem [Bangma Tandemteam]. We are our own team manager and caregiver. We book our own tickets and repair the bike ourselves. Things like those are often arranged for elite non-Para athletes. We now have everything in place to perform at the highest level." (Instagram profile, 29 Mar 2023; helden.media, 28 Mar 2023; frieschdagblad.nl, 25 Aug 2021: teamnl.org, 06 Mar 2024) FURTHER EDUCATION He has studied marketing communications at Johan Cruyff College Nijmegen and business administration at Horizon College in Alkmaar in the Netherlands. (Facebook profile, 12 Aug 2017)