Paralympic Athlete Promotes Sport in Ecuador

Nancy Martinez is a 34 year old Powerlifting athlete from Ecuador. At the age of two she was infected with polio resulting in lower extremity paralysis. At the age of 20, she received her first donated wheelchair but it was very old, heavy, and too big for her. It was not until 1997 that she was able to start training after having received a high quality, better fitting wheelchair donated by a non-profit organization which provides sports opportunities for people with disabilities in Latin America.

In 2000, thanks to a wildcard slot, she was able to compete in the Sydney Paralympic Games. “My first Paralympic Games in Sydney, were like a miracle come true for me. I never imagined how big is this event was, with so many persons with a disability with an extraordinary spirit - a lifetime opportunity for a human being, “ says Martinez.

Nancy Martinez at the Paralympic Games in Sydney

Motivated by her experience in Sydney, she returned home to Santo Domingo de los Colorados in Ecuador,with the objective to create a Powerlifting Programme.Today, the programme includes 12 athletes with a disability practicing not only Powerlifting, but also Swimming and Athletics. However, there are also difficulties, such as no accessible transportation for the athletes and not enough time and space to practice – a local gym is available only two hours a day for their use – as well as no equipment and no money.

Nevertheless, Martinez is not hampered by these difficulties. Her next goal, apart from participating in the Athens 2004 Paralympic Summer Games, is to develop a sport and cultural program for people with a disability in Santo Domingo de los Colorados.