Maria Araceli Menduina Santome

Started: She began canoeing in 1981. She took up Para canoeing in 2022 when she realised she was eligible. (atlantico.net, 11 Sep 2023) Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (atlantico.net, 11 Sep 2023) Awards: She was named Female Para Canoeist of the Year for 2023 by the Spanish Canoeing Federation. (coe.es, 16 Dec 2023) Additional Info: LONG CAREER She began canoeing at the Ria de Aldan club in Spain in 1981. She always competed in non-Para canoeing and later became a coach, working with paddlers such as Teresa Portela, David Cal, and Rodrigo Germade when they were young. After many years in the sport she discovered she was eligible to compete in Para canoe. "I never considered it, it was not a goal. But being [at the 2024 Paralympic Games] in Paris would be a great closing of a life-long career in the sport." (dxtadaptado.com, 27 Aug 2023; crtvg.es, 02 Aug 2021; marca.com, 05 May 2015) OCCUPATION She works at the Marinas Research Institute of the ministry of science and innovation in Spain. She is a support technician at the waste recycling research group. (atlantico.net, 11 Sep 2023; iim.csic.es, 01 Jan 2022) OTHER ROLES She has served as vice-president of the Canoeing Federation of Galicia in Spain. (crtvg.es, 02 Aug 2021)