- Ten para-athletes representing Rhineland-Palatinate participate in the Paralympic Games held in Paris
Ten noteworthy athletes hailing from Rhineland-Palatinate are set to challenge opponents at the Paralympics, commencing this Wednesday in Paris. This was disclosed by the Rhineland-Palatinate State Sports Association situated in Mainz. In their announcement, they mentioned, "Among the seasoned contenders from Rhineland-Palatinate, alongside wheelchair basketball player Mareike Miller, undeniably include the three para-volleyball players, spearheaded by the 49-year-old Koblenzer Heiko Wiesenthal, who is attending his fourth Paralympics," as reported by the State Sports Association's spokesperson.
As stated in a release from the Rhineland-Palatinate Sports Relief, "Ten formidable athletes from Rhineland-Palatinate will be squaring off against the globe's top competitors here."
The wheelchair basketball squad encompasses Mareike Miller, Svenja Erni, Nathalie Passiwan, and Lisa Bergenthal (all Doneck Dolphins Trier). Heiko Wiesenthal and Torben Schiewe (TV Guls) and Francis Tonleu from BSG Emmelshausen make up the para-volleyball team. In wheelchair rugby, Rhineland-Palatinate's owned athletes Florian Bongard, Michael Volter, and Maximilian Stolz (all RSG Koblenz) will compete in Paris. Additionally, two coaches from the state contribute to wheelchair basketball and rugby.
The athletes will secure a participation bonus of 5,000 euros from the Rhineland-Palatinate Sports Relief if they fulfill the funding prerequisites. Rewards are also awarded: 15,000 euros for gold, 10,000 for silver, and 5,000 for bronze. Additional prize money is accessible up to eighth place.
The Paralympics will conclude on September 8. In Paris, a grand total of 4,400 athletes from 182 nations will contend in 22 sports for medals. Germany is represented by 65 females and 78 males, along with five guides.
The competitions for athletes with disabilities mirror the Olympic Games and occur every four years in the same host city as the Summer or Winter Games. Since 1960, athletes have been competing in summer sports for paralympic medals every four years. The term Paralympics is derived from the English words paraplegic (paralyzed on both sides) and Olympics (Olympic Games).
The athletes from Rhineland-Palatinate are eagerly anticipating their challenges in various sports at the upcoming Paralympics. Besides wheelchair basketball player Mareike Miller, the para-volleyball team, led by Heiko Wiesenthal attending his fourth Paralympics, is also preparing diligently for the games.
