Renata Sliwinska

Started: She took up the sport at age 20 in Gorzow Wielkopolski, Poland. (pfron.org.pl, 28 Nov 2023; przegladsportowy.pl, 17 Jul 2017) Reason: Her grandmother's physiotherapist told her about the START Gorzow club in Poland and put her in contact with coach Zbigniew Lewkowicz. "Sport has always been my great passion. I was always such a lively child. I just love it. I don't do it for popularity, fame or money. I just do it for me because I love what I do and I do what I love. And if you do what you like, you don't feel like you're at work and it still gives you great joy." (fundusznataliipartyki.pl, 01 Jan 2017; pzsnstart.eu, 17 Jul 2023) Ambition: To win gold in the F40 shot put at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (pzsnstart.eu, 17 Jul 2023) Awards: In November 2023 she received the Officer's Cross [Order of Polonia Restituta fourth class] in Poland for her contribution to Para athletics. (pfron.org.pl, 28 Nov 2023) In 2023 she was named Para Athlete of the Year by the Polish Disabled Sports Association [PZSN]. (skwierzyna.pl, 09 Oct 2023) She received the 2018 Honorary Athlete of the Year award in Lubuskie Voivodeship, Poland. (skwierzyna.pl, 03 Feb 2019)