Raman Salei

Roma (VK profile, 14 Mar 2021)

Winning three gold medals at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. (moscow-baku.ru, 04 Sep 2021)

US swimmer Michael Phelps. (Athlete, 03 Mar 2019)

In recognition of his performance at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, he received the Shohrat [Glory] Order from the president of Azerbaijan. (president.az, 06 Sep 2021)

He has received the titles of Master of Sport of International Class in Belarus and Master of Sport in Azerbaijan. (Athlete, 05 Mar 2020)

In 2018 he was named among the 10 Best Para Athletes of the Year in Azerbaijan. (trend.az, 28 Dec 2018)

In recognition of his performance at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, he received the Order for Service to the Fatherland [third class] in Azerbaijan. (Athlete, 03 Mar 2019; president.az, 21 Sep 2016)

He became the first athlete representing Azerbaijan to win three Paralympic titles after winning three gold medals at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. (az.sputniknews.ru, 22 Sep 2021; SportsDeskOnline, 11 May 2022)

His older brother Dzmitry Salei has represented both Belarus and Azerbaijan in Para swimming at the Paralympic Games. He represented Belarus at the Games in 2008 and 2012, and represented Azerbaijan at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Dzmitry has since returned to representing Belarus and competed at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. (moscow-baku.ru, 01 Sep 2021; Athlete, 15 Jul 2015; SportsDeskOnline, 11 May 2022)

To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (media.az, 15 Sep 2021)

He was born with a vision impairment. (Athlete, 15 Jul 2015)

FAMILY AFFAIR
He says he is used to competing against his older brother Dzmitry, who has also represented Azerbaijan and Belarus in Para swimming. "We are already used to it. We have been participating in various competitions together for many years. Outside the pool, we are brothers, and when we go out onto the lane, everyone tries to do his job. Both he and I are determined to win. Each of us performs his task. Before the [2020] Paralympic Games [in Tokyo], he, like an older brother, spoke parting words to me, wished me good luck." (moscow-baku.ru, 01 Sep 2021)

BROTHERLY BRONZE
At the 2019 World Championships in London, England, he and his older brother Dzmitry Salei, who represented Belarus, were both awarded bronze medals in the S12 50m freestyle after finishing with exactly the same time [24.32s]. (sportpanorama.by, 12 Sep 2019; paralympic.org, 11 Sep 2019)

NATIONALITY SWITCH
He represented Belarus earlier in his career, including at the 2010 World Championships in Eindhoven, Netherlands, before switching to represent Azerbaijan. (SportsDeskOnline, 04 Mar 2019; pressball.by, 03 Dec 2013)