Nil Riudavets Victory

Started: He began competing in triathlons at age 16, having previously taken part in swimming races and mountain biked with his father. He competed in his first Para triathlon in 2022. (nilriudavetsvictory.com, 01 Sep 2023; marca.com, 09 Jun 2023) Reason: After he acquired his impairment in an accident during a triathlon in 2019, he was initially reluctant to return to the sport. While he was in hospital he was visited by Spanish Para triathlete Alejandro Sanchez, who gave him one of his medals and told Riudavets to return it once he had taken part in a triathlon. "All triathlon gave me, it took away in an instant. I had reached the point of hating the sport so much that I didn't want to see any photos of me competing. Sanchez came to see me just three weeks after the accident. Three years later, I competed in my first Para triathlon, and gave the medal back to him." (nilriudavetsvictory.com, 01 Sep 2023; marca.com, 09 Jun 2023) Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. He also hopes to compete in cross-country skiing at the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games in Milan-Cortina. (marca.com, 09 Jun 2023) Awards: In 2023 he was named Male Para Athlete of the Year in the Balearic Islands. (caib.es, 24 Nov 2023) Additional Info: FURTHER EDUCATION He has studied for a master's degree in hospital emergencies at the University of Barcelona, and for a master's degree in health management at the International University of La Rioja in Spain. (LinkedIn profile, 01 Sep 2023; marca.com, 09 Jun 2023)