Iveth del Rosario Valdes Romero

Started: She took up the sport in 2015. (Athlete, 25 Aug 2021) Reason: She first tried athletics with friends after going to some training sessions. "I went on to support some friends but I ended up training. They then insisted I should train, and two months later I was taking part in my first competition." (laestrella.com.pa, 09 Jul 2019; Athlete, 07 Sep 2016) Awards: She and powerlifter Rey Melchor Dimas Vasquez were Panama's flag bearers at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (medias.paris2024.org, 28 Aug 2024) Additional Info: OTHER ACTIVITIES She has served as secretary general of the Paralympic Committee of Panama. She has also been in charge of the gender and opportunity equality department at the Ministry of Housing and Land Management of the Panamanian government. (Americas Paralympic Committee X profile, 02 Jul 2024; tvn-2.com, 02 Mar 2021; telemetro.com, 01 May 2019; metrolibre.com, 06 Apr 2020) ACCIDENT In July 2009, while driving with her three children to Panama City, Panama, her car was hit by another driver. Her injuries resulted in her impairment, while her youngest son, who was age two at the time, sustained injuries that affected his speech. "After the accident I focused on taking care of him. I told my family to move and leave me alone in the house with my son, because otherwise I would not learn to be independent. He can now speak and is a normal and adorable boy." (noticias.tvn-2.com, 30 Aug 2017)