Pedro de Vinatea’s Paralympic dream

“Participating in the Paralympic Games is something I dream of every day of my life.”

With Para badminton making its debut in the Paralympic programme at Tokyo 2020, Peruvian player Pedro de Vinatea feels excited about this new and unique opportunity.

The 30-year-old, who was recently named ambassador for the Lima 2019 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games, dreams about what would be like to compete at his maiden Paralympics in four years time.

“I was at home when I received the news that Para badminton would be included in the Paralympic programme for Tokyo 2020. It was absolutely incredible,” he said. “I had been waiting to hear that for the previous four years, as the sport could not make it to Rio 2016.

“Participating in the Paralympic Games is something I dream of every day of my life.”

Despite his excitement, de Vinatea knows it is better to make one step at a time, especially considering one year prior to Tokyo 2020 he will compete at the Parapan American Games on home soil.

“Lima 2019 will be the most important event of my career,” he said. Following the success of the Rio 2016 Paralympics and the Sao Paulo 2017 Youth Parapans, de Vinatea believes Lima 2019 will give another boost to Para sports across the country and the continent.

“This event will be a turning point and will make Para sports grow more rapidly,” he said.

“I am happy to be an ambassador. It increases my commitment to the Games. The main challenge is undoubtedly to capitalise to the maximum on the legacy the Parapans will have.

“We have to make sure that this will not be just a two-week event, but a total change in the way of thinking and interacting with people with disabilities in Peru.

“After Lima 2019, I have a lot of faith that our Para athletes will be seen as role models and people will start recognise them in the streets. And I also hope to win in front of my home crowd.”

De Vinatea also highlighted how Para sports have grown in his country in recent years. “A few years ago we depended on the will of institutions that did not have Paralympic sport in their agendas. But many things have changed since then.

“In Para badminton, our two coaches have been training abroad and acquired new skills which they later implemented in national training camps.”