Fankhauser wins Swiss Paralympic Newcomer Award

“We want to encourage young athletes on the demanding way to the top.”

Swiss Paralympian Tobias Fankhauser was named the Swiss Paralympic Newcomer of 2012 at an event celebrating the country’s athletes taking part in the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Presented by Swiss Paralympic partner Allianz Swiss, the Newcomer Award honours Fankhauser’s surprise silver medal in the H1 handcycling road race and his never-ending enthusiasm in training.

The celebratory event was attended by more than 250 invited guests, including Swiss Minister of Sport, Ueli Maurer and Swiss Paralympic President Dr. Thomas Troger.

“We want to encourage young athletes on the demanding way to the top,” said Troger, “as they are our medal hopes for Rio 2016.”

The 22-year-old Fankhauser was left paralysed after a cycling accident in 2003. He took part in his first handcycling race in 2004, mainly racing in junior races until 2008. Since 2009, Fankhauser is taking part in H1 handcyling races.