Rafal Wilk

Started: He began Para cycling in 2010 at age 36 in Zamosc, Poland. (Athlete, 07 Feb 2012) Reason: "Shortly after my accident I did Para skiing, because in the past I was a ski instructor. But at some point I decided to switch to Para cycling. I borrowed a bike from my colleague and I immediately knew that this was it." (wp.pl, 09 Dec 2020; Athlete, 07 Feb 2012) Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (nowiny24.pl, 09 Jul 2023) Awards: In 2023 he was inducted into the Rzeszow Walk of Fame in Poland. (nowiny24.pl, 09 Jul 2023) In 2017 he received the Officer's Cross of Order of Polonia Restituta from the president of Poland. (prezydent.pl, 03 Dec 2017) In 2017 he became a Honorary Citizen of Rzeszow in Poland. (wyborcza.pl, 19 Jan 2017) He was flag bearer for Poland at the opening ceremony of the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. (myinfo.rio2016.com, 06 Sep 2016) In 2013 he was honoured with the Knight's Cross of Order of Polonia Restituta by the president of Poland. (prezydent.pl, 07 Feb 2013) In 2012 he was named Para Athlete of the Year in Poland. (paralympic.org.pl, 2015) Additional Info: FIRST STEPS In the early part of 2017 he took his first steps following his accident in 2006. "A clinic was testing an exoskeleton and one of my colleagues asked me if I would like to try it. They were looking for someone who had never used one before, to make the tests relevant. So I put it on, I stood up and I walked. It was fantastic. Suddenly the world looks completely different. I stood on my feet and immediately my horizons expanded. It is something beautiful." (przegladsportowy.pl, 15 Apr 2017) OTHER ACTIVITIES He has set up a charitable organisation called 'There is one sport - Rafal Wilk Foundation', which supports Para athletes fighting to achieve their sporting dreams and goals. He was also the subject of a film titled 'Rafal Wilk - A Man of Iron' that presented the story of his life before and after his accident. (sportjestjeden.org, 2016; tvp.pl, 06 Nov 2014) TWO BIRTHDAYS He decided to celebrate the date of his accident - 03 May 2006 - as his second birthday. "I celebrate my birthday twice a year. On the day of my actual birthday on 09 December, and on every anniversary of my accident. On that day I was re-born. My new life started, so I celebrate two birthdays." (wp.pl, 09 Dec 2020)

Sporting Relatives: His daughters Gabriela and Wiktoria have represented Poland in acrobatic gymnastics. His father Jan Wilk was a speedway racer. (wsiz.rzeszow.pl, 29 Jan 2016; Gabriela Wilk Facebook profile, 08 Nov 2015; gloswielkopolski.pl, 16 Sep 2012; eurosport.onet.pl, 21 Oct 2010)