Celine van Till

Started: She took up Para cycling in 2021 and began competing in 2022. (Facebook page, 13 Jan 2024; swiss-cycling.ch, 17 Nov 2022) Reason: She was preparing for a triathlon and asked Swiss national Para cycling coach Dany Hirs for a suitable bike. Hirs invited her to try Para cycling and was impressed, so suggested that she join the national Para cycling team. (swissparalympic.ch, 18 Aug 2023; swiss-cycling.ch, 17 Nov 2022) Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (swiss-cycling.ch, 17 Nov 2022) Awards: She was named the Swiss Paralympic Newcomer of the Year in 2010. (collonge-bellerive.ch, 18 Nov 2012) Additional Info: FROM DRESSAGE TO CYCLING She competed in dressage at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. In 2018 she began training in Para athletics with a view to competing at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, but ultimately gave up athletics following an injury. She then began training for a triathlon, which led her to take up Para cycling. "I think I've found the sport that's perfect for me. I feel free on the bike. I feel like I'm embarking on a completely safe adventure." (LinkedIn profile, 11 Jan 2024; swiss-cycling.ch, 17 Nov 2022; lasswho.com, 18 Jun 2022; swissparalympic.ch, 22 Mar 2022; celinevantill.ch, 16 Mar 2022; associationtoutestpossible.ch, 23 Sep 2020) OTHER ACTIVITIES She has served as a member of the Grand Council of Geneva in Switzerland. She has also been vice president of Handicap International Suisse. In 2011 she released a book titled 'Pas a pas: Histoire d'un accident et d'une resurrection' [Step by step: Story of an accident and a resurrection]. She also co-authored a book titled 'Handicap, une vie de tous les jours' [Disability, everyday life], which was due for publication in 2024. (LinkedIn profile, 11 Jan 2024; Facebook page, 21 Dec 2023; handicap-international.ch, 03 Apr 2022; rts.ch, 09 Dec 2021; celinevantill.ch, 09 Mar 2016) OTHER STUDIES She has studied ethics, health and environment at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland. (LinkedIn profile, 11 Jan 2024; Facebook page, 07 Apr 2023)