What is your aim in the future?

To represent my country at the 2012 Paralympic Games and win the gold medal with my teammates, to learn how to surf, complete my Master of Public Health and to play Wheelchair Basketball for many more years!

What is special for you about your sport compared to other sports?

Wheelchair basketball is a sport that requires physical conditioning, mental strength and most importantly; teamwork. Wheelchair basketball focuses on individual's bringing their value to better the greater goal: the team. In a wheelchair basketball team, players will have varied positions and roles, partly decided by classification, but also individual attributes. However, an amazing wheelchair basketball team combines the individual value to make a team that has trust, balance and a vision of the bigger picture than individual success to create synergy.

What is important for you about sport in general? What do you get out of it?

Wheelchair Basketball is not just a sport that challenges me physically. In Wheelchair Basketball to be the best you can be you have to improve your skills, you have to learn how to work in a team environment and you have to learn about the game and your opponents to be successful. For this reason, Wheelchair Basketball has given me the opportunity to learn so much about how to work towards a goal. To be successful, you must often first fail and learn how to improve from that, but when you do succeed or win it is so much better for having to put so much work in.

Do you have a personal maxim in life and in sport?

Always focus on what can be done, not what cannot be changed.

What advice would you like to give to other people doing sports?

Sport is like life. The more you work on something, the better you become. That said, you have to work in the right way and finding the right way to work is sometimes more difficult than working hard just to work. Work smart and hard and be focused and enjoy the improvement: regardless of how big or small.

What would be your advice as a Paralympic athlete for other people to advance in life?

When you cannot do something, do not stop, find a different way and work as hard as you can to accomplish what you care about.

What would be your advice for people doing no sport?

Like in life you have to fact ups and downs. It is important to never give up. Defeats are sad, but can be used for your motivation and fighting spirit.

What would be your advice for other athletes?

Sport has to be fun, but you have to fight through downs sometimes. Your motivation has to come from the inside.

What is your aim for the future?

I want to set my aims high in private, in professional and also in sports. With honesty, fairness and hard work I will succeed.

What is most important for you about sport?

To me sport is a character test in self-discipline and endurance as well as a world trip and a source of friendship.

What is the Uniqueness of your sport compared to other sports?

In Athletics, you are your own boss and are responsible for your happiness and frustration as you cannot accuse others for your performances.

What is special for you about long jump compared to other sports?

Long jump is an individual event, it depends on who jumps further, just need a tape measure!

Do you have a personal motto in life and in sport?

To me, the stairs are for climbing and the mountains are for conquering. The aim must be clear and the dreams are to be transcended.

What is your aim for the future?

I am trying to transcend myself and win.

What would be your advice as Paralympic athelte for other people doing sports?

Victory means one more minute of insistence, because most people give up in this one minute.

What would be your advice for others to advance in life?

When you were in pressure you can choose to go into the field of play. It feels awesome after doing sports and sweating!

What is your aim in the future?

My aim is to represent my country for as long as I can and do my best, to make sure I get the most out of life and be happy and healthy with a great family.

What is important for you about sport in general? What do you get out of it?

Sport is such a big part of my life and it gives me the chance to keep fit as well as competing for my country. Sport also gives me something to focus on and keeps my mind and body healthy. I get a lot out of sport but mainly the chance to meet people and do something I love.

What is special for you about your sport compared to other sports?

Running is what I am passionate about and love, so to me it is very special compared to other sports. It’s something I really enjoy and I will always have running as part of my life. It’s different to other sports as it’s very individual and I am able to focus on myself and determine my outcome.

What would be your advice as Paralympic athlete for other people doing sports?

My advice would be firstly to never give up no matter how tough things get, but mostly to enjoy the experience. Being a Paralympian is an amazing experience and often a once in a life time opportunity. The key is to just make sure you give it 100%.

What is important for you about sport in general? What do you get out of it?

Sport is considered to be part of my life. It brings me bravery and strength and enables me to seek happiness and realize my dreams; It also has brought me pleasant life and treasurable family!

What would be your advice to other people?

To advance in life you need to believe in yourself and you need to set goals for yourself. Push yourself because you can achieve anything in life if you put your mind to it.

Do you have a personal motto in life and in sport?

My personal maxim is to always do my best and try my hardest at everything. I want to be the best at what I do, in sport and life.

Do you have a personal motto in life or sports?

I do not want to pretend to be something I am not. My personal motto for now, for the Paralympics in London an afterwards is: Seize the challenge. That is what I like. That's me.

What would be your advice for other athletes?

You have to believe into yourself. Set yourself goals and accept yourself how you are, in sport and in life. It is also good to know that life is not only about first places.

What advice would you like to give to other people doing sports?

My advice is not that different to the one of many others: You have to believe in yourself, to set goals and to accept yourself how you are. Then success will come to you, in sport and in life. It is also important that life does not mean to be first all the time, giving his personal best is more important.

What is your aim for the future?

I do have a lot of goals, but at the moment the preparation for the Paralympics fill my days. Every day, I work very hard for the big day: the 100m final (T42). Winning the gold medal would be a dream coming true!

What is important for you about sport?

Sport means everything to me. Right now, I live for my sport. I can test my body and sometimes go beyond it can manage. I have the chance to get to know a lot of other people, to make friends and to compete against them.

What is special for your about athletics?

I think only others believe it is sepcial. I want to reach my goals. I think that makes all athletes the same. We always want to win. It does not really matter how many legs or arms the athelte has. In sports, my performance should be most important.

What is the most important thing in sports for you?

Pursuit for the perfect performance and the apperciation I get is the most important. Sport demands a lot, but it also gives back - emotions, friendships, experiences, etc.

What is special for you about wheelchair racing?

It's dynamically, athletic, graceful and tactically. Furthermore, the performance level is extremely high.

Do you have a personal motto in life and in sport?

I want to be respected as an athlete instead of being admired as a person with an impairment.

What is your advice to others to advance in life?

To always further develop and to be self-cricital. Let's keep it like that: "Who thinks to be something has stopped to become better."

What is your advice to other athletes?

Stick to your principles. It needs a lot of discipline, ambition and patience to reach the top.

What is your future aim?

I want to win a gold medal in London and maintain being happy doing sports and to stay fit.

What is important for you about sport in general? What do you get out of it?

Sport is important to me because it keeps a balance between my physics and emotion. With horse riding, my coordination improves, I gain autonomy and self-esteem. Competitions make people look at me more respectful and proud.

What is special for you about your sport compared to others?

Horse riding is one of the most beautiful and gratifying sports. I can chat and interact with my horse to make it understand and perfectly execute everything I ask for.

What would be your advice as Paralympic athlete for other people doing sports?

The advice I give to all athletes is: be persistent, don’t give up. Who enters the competitive world must know how to win and lose. We can only achieve our goals trough perseverance.

What would be your advice as Paralympic athlete for other people to advance in life?

Never give up your dreams. When you want something, you can get it. It may take a little longer, but with persistence, you can win races.

What is your aim in the future?

I have a lot of goals. In sport, every athlete aims to be part of the Paralympic world and for me this dream came true. Now, I want to bring a medal home for Portugal and hear the national anthem.

Do you have a personal maxim in life and in sport?

Never give up.

What is special for you about your sport compared to other sports?

I tried a few sports, but for me throwing the discus was my favourite. There is nothing like the feeling you get when you throw a great discus.

What is your advice as a Paralympic athlete to other people doing sports?

Enjoy the sport you take part in and be patient, it takes years of training to reach the top.

What is your aim for the future?

I want to win a medal at the Paralympic Games and break the world record.

What would be your advice as Paralympic athlete for other people to advance in life?

Be persistent, keep trying and work hard, it will be worth it in the end when you achieve your goal.

What is important for you about sport in general?

I think sport teaches us important lessons in life from an early age. I grew up with team sports where you have to learn the importance of team work, patience, discipline and hard work, which are all important life skills. You also build relationships that will last a lifetime in sport, be it weekend football, amateur basketball or elite full time sport.

What would be your advice as Paralympic athlete for other people to advance in life?

Always put things in perspective, family, friends and your health are the most important things in life. People waste too much energy in traffic jams, on Facebook and the pursuing the material things in life. If you wish to pursue a career you should find something you love to do and believe in what you do.

What is the uniqueness of your sport?

The sense of freedom I feel when I use a handbike is what keeps me training 3-4 hours a day. Having played able-bodied field sports first and then wheelchair sports, nothing beats the fresh air and great workout you get when you head of into the countryside for a couple of hours.

Do you have a personal motto in life and in sport?

I hope to stay healthy and happy for as long as possible. I always aim to develop as a person so I can make a positive contribution to society and hopefully improve the areas I work in.

What would be your advice to other athletes?

Firstly you have to enjoy what you do, if you find a sport that inspires you I would write down on paper your annual goals, then try and surround yourself with people that can help you achieve these goals. Finally, belief and hard work is the only way you will achieve those goals, do the simple things right and you may surprise yourself.

What is your aim in the future?

My immediate aim is to represent myself and my country in the best light possible at the London Paralympic Games. After the Games I hope to move to the US for a couple of years to further my education in Sports Management and gain some experience in sports development in many different sports.

What is most important to you about sport?

I like to test my limits as paralympic athlete and beyond. In competition against other athletes is an important part of it as well. I get my motivation and happiness out of it. Furthermore, I am a professional athlete and sport is my job which includes pressure to succeed, media and sponsoring work.

What is special about cycling compared to other sports?

The dynamics of cycling, training in nature, variety of events as well as exciting and demanding competitions make cycling special to me.

What would be your advice to other athletes?

It is difficult to keep pace with the increasing demands of Paralympic sport and at the same time push your professional future. Athletes aiming to combine both, sport and job, in a professional way, need to have an extraordinary will and invest a lot of time and effort.

What would be your advice on how to advance in life?

From time to time, you have to make decisions in life. Don't do things half-way, but do it right and consequently focus on the way taken.

What is your future aim?

In sports: a medal in London! Beyond: to persist further challenges in the Andes and Himalaya.

Do you have a personal motto?

To always do the best possible, but not at all costs!

What is important for you about sport in general? What do you get out of it?

What is most important to me in the sport are the victories. To represent my country and bring home victory gives me great joy. The sport gives me happiness, health, culture and knowledge.

What is special for you about your sport compared to other sports?

Football is different. It is the passion of the Brazilians. We dream since childhood to be a football player. I am pleased to represent a sport that is the symbol of Brazil, this is my driving force.

What would be your advice as Paralympic athlete for other people doing sports?

My advice is and I always say: never give up. We always find difficulties, they do exist, but we have to go through them and move on.

What would be your advice as Paralympic athlete for other people to advance in life?

I tell people to always do what they consider to be right. To follow their heart and dreams, ignoring the difficulties that come along, and always heading forward.

What is your aim in the future?

My goal in football is to continue representing Brazil as a footballer, win three titles in London, and continue acquiring knowledge: studying, majoring in computer science or physical education. Also be recognized by the national team.

Do you have a personal maxim in life and in sport?

In sports and in life, my motto which encourages me when I wake up every day to train is: ”Never to give up and to always do my best.”

What is special for you about your sport compared to other sports?

Everyone always wants to know who the fastest person in the world is, thus making Athletics the greatest sport. While I have a fond appreciation for many sports and respect all athletes, watching athletes line up, the gun sound, and athletes running as fast as they can for 100 meters is the ultimate adrenaline rush.

What is your advice as a Paralympic athlete to other people?

Exercise is the greatest form of exhilaration, both physical and mental. Sport allows for the building of bridges to so many communities, circumstances and changes. Therefore, continue to breathe life into sport and you will notice a change in your life.

What is important for you about sport in general?

Running is medicinal and allows me to exercise my mind and body at the same time. I have grown up in the sports so I went from being given lessons to now being able to show others the world through my talents.

What would be your advice for other athletes?

Many blessings along your athletic journey but if you ever get bored, there is a lane open for you on the track. Come join us, you will never go back.

What is your aim in the future?

To leave the world a better place, than when I came to it, one person at a time.

Do you have a personal maxim in life and in sport?

Be not consumed by personal ambition, instead focus on your goals as it relates to better not only yourself by those around you. There is no mission to great and no challenge too difficult if you simply apply your talents, energies, and work ethic.

Do you have a personal maxim in life and in sport?

Yes, I do. Always give a maximum from yourself. Love what you are doing. Do the best is not enough, it takes a lot more. When you are committed to the sport, you give your whole body and spirit to one thing, to be the best!

What is important for you about sport in general? What do you get out of it?

The most important thing in our sports is to test your body to maximum, to see how much can you do in sport. We do it for love and sociality for this sport. We get big satisfaction and motivation, desire to progress not only in Paralympic sport but in life.

What is special for you about your sport compared to other sports?

First, athletic is the mother of all sport in the world. Before I began to lose eye vision on my right eye (I was blind on left eye then), I was played handball. When my accident happens I go to train athletic javelin throw because is the similar to handball and then I start to love this discipline. Interest in athletics is what makes it simple to do, but it is not. Invest your maximum effort to make you improve your personal records.

What would be your advice as Paralympic athlete for other people to advance in life?

In life nothing comes without a large investment of effort and work. You know what kind of life you want to have. The best work in life is what you love to do and where you have set goals for yourself.

What is your aim in the future?

My goal for the future is to be well prepared for the Paralympic Games in London, and afterwards to continue with studying.

What would be your advice as Paralympic athlete for other people doing sports?

My advice would be doing your sport that you love, for your health. When you do something that you love, then you do it as best as you can. Sport is very good because you learn about the world, you meet new person, meet new culture and tradition, but best in all you socialized with people in your sport.

GOLD

Here I am

on top of the podium

on top of the world

looking down at it

instead of up

for a change

My heart cannot contain

the emotions, the elation

they spill into my shining face

and are reflected

in an ocean of smiles and flags

whose cheering surf crashes over me

I immerse myself in this moment

a hard-won summit of my years

of pain, of sweat, of tears

In this moment

the world sees me

the world sees a winner

someone who took what life handed them

and found the strength and the courage

to forge it into something better

In this moment

the world is focused

on what I can do

not on what I can’t

In this moment

the world sees a golden athlete

not a leaden cripple

In this moment

it doesn’t matter that I have wheels

where legs should be

In this moment

the world understands

that the Gold

is inside

© Rax Baker

What is most important for you about sport?

Sport gives me self-confidence and endless experiences which reach beyond the usual ones and shape my social values. Further, sport is big fun doing it with others.

What is special for you about sport shooting?

The complexity of the sport: Body and soul have to perfectly harmonize and technical knowledge comes on top. It's all about perfection.

What would be your advice for other athletes?

It doesn't matter if you are a paralympic or olympic athlete nor if you are an amateur or professional. It is important to believe into yourself and work towards your goals.

What would be your advice for others to advance in life?

Set your goals and consequently go for it. But do not forget about the nice details and joys apart your way. Be open for new things, be humble for the achieved and always be respectful with others. That would be a nice foundation to enjoy life.

What is your aim for the future?

I want to perform well in London, afterwards the cards will be re-dealt.

Do you have a personal maxim in life?

Carpe diem with joy.

What is important for you about sport in general? What do you get out of it?

In sport the most important thing for me is my training. It helps me to fight against my own limits and is a strong partner in the struggle against my handicap. Sport gives you the chance to get to know yourself in a very special way. I like to be together with my competitors from all over the world. The sport is the “motor in my life”. It helped me come back into life after an error in medical treatment (2007) brought me into the wheelchair.

What is special for you about your sport compared to others?

In my youth (non-handicapped) the javelin and I, that was „love at first grip“. It’s great to transform all my energy to the javelin, shot put or discus, see them fly and land (as far as possible). I like to work on the technique to become better and better. For every athlete his discipline is the one his heart is beating for, so I don’t want to compare.

What would be your advice as Paralympics athlete for other people doing sports?

Watching the Paralympics 2008 in Beijing had been the beginning of my decision to start with sport again. It was like a big dream, that perhaps – someday – it would be possible that I will start there myself. It was a little bit like “catching a star”, but here is my advice: Start going, follow your dream. Train hard and you will see if you can reach your aims. Whatever you will reach, it’s always worth trying!

What would be your advice as Paralympics athlete for other people to advance in life?

No matter you have a handicap or not, some ways in life are hard to go. Either you take the challenge or you see your chance go away. Try to find an aim for your life and start going. Most things are good to handle if you do it in little steps and with help of good friends.

What is your aim in the future?

I want to give always the best. Two medals are on my focus in London. Very important is to stay healthy, happy and the person that I am in all things that I do.

Do you have a personal maxim in life and in sport?

At my homepage you can read the motto: ”Giving up is no option”. After my life changed and I had to use a wheelchair, I had to come to the conscious decision that I don’t want to be sad about those things that are no longer possible. The decision was to focus on those things that are possible. That is just as important in sport as it is in life.

What is important for you about sport in general?

For me sport is fun! I do it because I love it and it keeps me healthy.

What advice would you like to give to other people doing sports?

My number one advice is to make sure you are having fun! I think everyone should discover what sport they are good at and what sport they enjoy doing. From there, it is easy to stay motivated and involved.

What is special for you about your sport compared to other sports?

I really enjoy that sport is an individual sport versus a team sport because my successes and my failures all fall on me. I also love the speed that is involved in wheelchair racing! Who doesn't enjoy going fast!?

What would be your advice as Paralympic athlete for other people to advance in life?

Set goals. Then determine what steps you must take to reach those goals and follow the path you have set for yourself. Without a goal, you cannot achieve.

What is your aim in the future?

I plan to compete in the 2012 London Paralympic Games. Following the Games, I'm not sure what I will do but I hope to start a career in health administration.

Do you have a personal maxim in life and in sport?

There are no limits!

What would be your advice as Paralympics athlete for other people doing sports?

Sports are for everyone, it’s good for your health and it fulfills your free time. My life improved since I started exercising. Sports make me feel good, helped me to grow and face disableness in a very positive way. We learn to see the positive side of life, we have goals and we’ll try to reach them, regardless of the obstacles. We become more autonomous, more confident. Choose a method and try new and strong emotions.

What would be your advice as Paralympics athlete for other people to advance in life?

Sports can definitely be a path to follow. Always try and never give up!

What is your aim in the future?

I’d like to be one of the world's best Boccia players, just as I was the best world swimmer in the past.

Do you have a personal maxim in life and in sport?

"He who dominates the others is strong, he who dominates himself is mighty" - Lao Tsu

What is important for you about sport in general? What do you get out of it?

Sport is important to maintain the physical and emotional balance. It’s a physical energetic activity that puts our limits to the test, although we may practice sports just for fun, entertainment or distraction. I get pleasure out of practicing sports, it fills my free time, reduces my stress and anxiety. It’s above all a personal gratification, because of the challenge, the struggle for self-transcendence, the conquest, the victory and recognition.

What is special for you about your sport compared to others?

I've been a swimming athlete for 15 years. Now I chose boccia because it’s calmer. It’s a strategic game that requires great precision and concentration. It’s a different challenge as well.