Isaac Jean-Paul

Started: He took up athletics at age 18 after he was not selected for his college basketball team. He got involved in competitive Para athletics in 2017. (teamusa.org, 13 Jul 2017; dailyherald.com, 26 May 2011) Reason: He competed in non-Para athletics at university, and was encouraged to explore Para athletics by his university coach. He was then introduced to US Para athlete Roderick Townsend during his senior year of university. "He pushed me forward and pretty much opened the door for me. So I figured, I may as well walk through it." (teamusa.org, 13 Jul 2017; dailyherald.com, 26 May 2011) Ambition: To become the first Para athlete to win gold at both the Paralympic Games and the Olympic Games. (boldblindbeauty.com, 02 Apr 2024) Additional Info: CAREER ORIGINS He played basketball in his youth and did not consider athletics until he was challenged to a race against the fastest sprinter in his high school. He lost the bet but later took part in a try-out where he was spotted by coaches. "I had the fastest 40-yard dash. We did broad jump and vertical jump, and I placed first in all three of them. It was great. The coaches really saw something in me. If I never made that bet on being faster than the fastest kid in the track team then I would never have done track. By taking a chance on doing that, I took a chance on Paralympics. Now I'm here and I couldn't be happier." (paralympic.org, 13 Jun 2018; teamusa.org, 13 Jul 2017) FURTHER EDUCATION He has studied for an associate's degree in liberal arts and sciences at Harper College in Palatine, IL, United States of America. (boldblindbeauty.com, 02 Apr 2024) OCCUPATION He works as creative director of marketing at San Diego State University in California, United States of America, where he also coaches Para sports. (boldblindbeauty.com, 02 Apr 2024; fightingblindness.org, 13 Mar 2023)

Sporting Relatives: His mother played basketball for Lewis University in Romeoville, IL, United States of America. (sportfuelslife.com, 16 Dec 2020)