Roman Pavlyk

Started: He took up the sport in 2000 in Lviv, Ukraine. (Athlete, 22 Oct 2015) Reason: He was regularly sick as a child, but sport helped to strengthen him and keep the illnesses away. As a child, doctors suggested that he play tennis to develop his hands. But, after a year, the doctors decided that tennis was too monotonous and was only developing certain muscles, so he switched to athletics. (dislife.ru, 29 Sep 2012; kp.ua, 10 Sep 2012; fakty.ua, 06 Sep 2012) Milestones: He became the first athlete representing Ukraine to win three Paralympic gold medals in athletics when he finished first in the T36 long jump at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London. He went on to become the first athlete representing Ukraine to win four Paralympic gold medals in athletics when he also finished first in the T36 200m at the 2012 Games. (SportsDeskOnline, 02 Aug 2021) He became the first athlete representing Ukraine to win seven Paralympic medals in athletics when he claimed gold in the T36 200m at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London. He then became the first athlete representing Ukraine to win eight and nine Paralympic medals in athletics by claiming bronze in the T36 long jump and silver in the T36 400m at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. At the 2020 Games in Tokyo, his bronze in the T36 long jump made him the first athletics competitor representing Ukraine to win 10 Paralympic medals, a total that was matched by Oksana Boturchuk several days later. (SportsDeskOnline, 23 Jan 2024; theguardian.com, 06 Sep 2012) Awards: In recognition of the bronze medal he won at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, he received the Medal for Work and Achievement from the president of Ukraine. (president.gov.ua, 16 Sep 2021) He received Ukraine's Order for Merit on three occasions, in recognition of his performances at the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games during which he has won four gold, two silver and three bronze medals. (SportsDeskOnline, 17 Oct 2019; president.gov.ua, 04 Oct 2016, 12 Sep 2012, 07 Oct 2008) He holds the title of Honoured Master of Sport in Ukraine. (mms.gov.ua, 28 Dec 2022)