Ten years after Rio 2016, Daniel Dias reflects on Brazil's home Paralympic Games

To celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, Brazilian Paralympic legend Daniel Dias reflected on what it meant to compete at a home Paralympic Games 08 Sep 2026

By AMP Media | For the IPC

Ten years after the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, Brazil’s Para swimming star Daniel Dias still remembers how the roar from the stands seemed to make the water vibrate.

“I truly felt the support of that crowd, of the Brazilian people. Only Brazilians have that kind of energy,” Dias said.

“For the first time, the pool felt like a football stadium. Just imagine all those supporters around you, shouting your name and cheering.”

He had already enjoyed a huge Paralympic success before Rio 2016, winning 10 gold medals across Beijing 2008 and London 2012. Competing in front of a home crowd, however, was something he had been dreaming about for seven years.

“We trained for this, for it to happen. It's difficult to put into words everything we experienced, all the emotions we felt,” Dias said.

“Competing at the Rio Games was the fulfilment of a dream that had been taking shape since 2009, when we learned that the Olympic and Paralympic Games would be held in Rio in 2016.”

A male Para swimming athlete wearing a green jersey and a gold medal is looking up during a medal ceremony — Daniel Dias won 27 Paralympic medals before retiring after the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. @Buda Mendes/Getty Images

Star of a home Games

Dias arrived in Rio as one of Brazil's biggest stars and delivered nine medals from nine events – four golds, three silvers and two bronzes – to become the host nation's most decorated athlete.

Among his strongest memories is the passionate home crowd at Rio’s Olympic Aquatics Stadium.

“And it didn't matter whether we won gold or missed out on a medal. They were cheering and supporting every Brazilian athlete,” Dias said.

“To experience that, to feel all that energy. I felt as though the water itself vibrated along with the crowd. Being able to give that experience back to the fans was very special.”

Dias gave the home supporters plenty to celebrate as the host nation finished eighth in the overall medal table with 14 gold, 29 silver and 29 bronze medals.

Rio 2016 was the first Paralympic Games held in South America, and 2.1 million passionate spectators gathered to witness the outstanding performances of more than 4,300 Para athletes from around the world.

A male Para swimming athlete splashes water with his left hand in the pool — Dias captured nine medals at Rio 2016, including four golds. @Buda Mendes/Getty Images

The power of sport

For Dias, however, the most important legacy cannot be measured in medals, records or ticket sales.

In May 2016, just months before Rio 2016, the Brazilian Paralympic Training Centre was inaugurated in Sao Paulo.

“It is now one of the finest training centres in the world. It is a physical legacy,” he said.

“But there is another legacy that came from having the Rio Games on home soil. I saw many children there, who today are no longer children. Many youngsters followed, cheered and celebrated with us."

Dias remembers throwing his swim cap to a family sitting in the stands after a race.

“There was a young boy, and after catching the cap, he looked at me and said, ’Daniel, you're an inspiration to me’,” Dias said.

“From the bottom of my heart, I never imagined when I became a professional athlete that one day a child, a teenager, someone without a disability, could look at a person with a disability and say that.

“That's when we break down the barriers of prejudice. That's when we truly win a medal, something far greater than gold. That's when we create an intangible legacy.”

A male Para swimming athlete holds a gold medal in front of his face — Dias said the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games created a lasting legacy in Brazil. @Buda Mendes/Getty Images

For Dias, the encounter symbolises how Rio 2016 helped change perceptions of Para athletes, from a focus on disability to performance.

“He was looking at the athlete. I have always said that I want people to see not the disability, but the athlete. To see how much I dedicate myself, how hard I train,” Dias said.

“Rio was special for all the emotions we experienced, but it was also special because it created this intangible legacy: breaking down prejudice and helping people see persons with disabilities in our country in a different way.”

Celebrating 10 years

Ten years on, Dias believes there are signs of that legacy in the continued rise of Brazil's Paralympic movement.

At Paris 2024, Brazil achieved its best Paralympic performance with 89 medals, including 25 golds, finishing sixth in the medal table.

“It's wonderful to see Brazil today as a powerhouse,” Dias said.

“So what lies behind all of this? For me, it is a tremendous drive, a powerful determination to demonstrate the value of people with disabilities. We may have different characteristics, but we are equal in our ability to achieve dreams, goals and ambitions.”