- Twelve competitors hailing from Hesse are set to participate in the Paralympic Games taking place in Paris.
If the Paralympic Games commence this Wednesday in Paris, 12 athletes hailing from Hesse will be participating. This was stated by the Hessian State Sports Association in Frankfurt. "Our athletes have made significant strides in recent years, in part due to focused aid from the OSP and the Sports Foundation. Some even have potential medal wins, demonstrating that we're on the right track," expressed Markus Kremin, head of the Hesse Olympic Training Center (OSP), prior to the event.
Among the seasoned athletes representing Hesse is shooter Natascha Hiltrop, participating for the fourth time. At the 2021 Paralympics in Tokyo, she secured the first shooting gold medal since 2004 and also brought home a silver. "The competition has tightened up, but I'm hopeful for another medal," she expressed beforehand. Wheelchair basketball player Nico Dreimüller from Frankfurt will also join the Parisian games. According to information available, this will mark his third Paralympics.
All 12 athletes are part of the Sports Foundation Hesse team, which financially aids them in their pursuit of elite-level sports, as per the Hessian State Sports Association.
The Paralympics will conclude on September 8. In Paris, a total of 4,400 athletes from 182 countries will contest for medals in 22 sports. Germany will be represented by 65 female and 78 male athletes, as well as 5 guides.
The Paralympic competitions for athletes with disabilities emulate the Olympic Games and are held every four years in the same host city as the Summer or Winter Games. Since 1960, athletes have been competing for paralympic medals in summer sports every four years. The term Paralympics originates from the English words paraplegic (paralyzed on both sides) and Olympics (Olympic Games).
The Olympic Games serve as a model for the Paralympic Games, both held every four years in the same host city as the Summer or Winter Games. The Paralympic Games in Paris will feature 12 athletes from Hesse, aiming to expand their medal count, having seen their athletes, including shooting star Natascha Hiltrop, make significant strides and maintain high potential.
