Maksym Veraksa

Started: He began swimming in 1992 in Kharkiv, Ukraine. He took up Para swimming in 2006. (Athlete, 13 Aug 2018; vecherniy.kharkov.ua, 08 Oct 2008) Reason: His father, who was a swimming coach, took him to the pool. "My father simply threw me in the water." (Athlete, 19 Jul 2015; vecherniy.kharkov.ua, 08 Oct 2008) Milestones: He became the first athlete representing Ukraine in any sport to win six gold medals at the Paralympic Games when he claimed victory in the S12 100m freestyle at the 2012 Games in London. He was also the first Ukrainian athlete to win seven and eight gold medals at the Paralympic Games with his S12 50m freestyle victories in 2012 and 2016. (SportsDeskOnline, 04 Aug 2021) Awards: In recognition of his performance at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, he received the Order for Courage [third class] in Ukraine. (zakon.rada.gov.ua, 16 Sep 2021) In 2017 he was named an Honoured Citizen of the city of Kharkiv in Ukraine. (izvestia.kharkov.ua, 24 Aug 2017) He received Orders of Merit from the president of Ukraine in recognition of his performances at the Paralympic Games in 2008, 2012 and 2016. (president.gov.ua, 04 Oct 2016, 17 Sep 2012, 07 Oct 2008) He was flag bearer for Ukraine at the opening ceremony of the 2016 European Championships in Funchal, Portugal. (paralympic.org, 26 Apr 2016) He holds the title of Honoured Master of Sport in Ukraine. (mms.gov.ua, 28 Dec 2022)