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Brazilian swimmer Araujo set to compete in first Paralympics

Xinhua, September 8, 2016 Adjust font size:

Brazil's 17-year-old swimmer, Cecilia de Araujo, is about to achieve her lifetime ambition: competing on her home turf in the 2016 Paralympics, that were officially opened on Wednesday in Rio de Janeiro.

Araujo was only 13 years old when she made the hard decision to leave her hometown of Natal in order to travel to Sao Paulo in pursuit of the best possible training to edge closer to her dream of qualifying for a Paralympic Games.

However, Araujo never imagined that just four years later she would achieve her life's biggest goal and, as an added bonus, do so in her home country of Brazil.

"I want to represent my country in the best way possible," Araujo told the International Paralympic Committee's (IPC) Media Center on Wednesday ahead of the inauguration ceremony.

The swimmer, who was born with cerebral palsy, says medical advice led her to get in the pool for the first time when she was 3 years old.

Since then, she has never looked back. Nor does she see her impairment as a barrier for personal growth.

"I learned to accept my impairment thanks to my mom, Cledna Jeronimo. I really admire her," said the swimmer.

Araujo's hard work and self-determination paid off and, in 2013, she burst onto the international scene by winning several medals at the Buenos Aires Youth Para Pan American Games.

"I remember it very well as an incredible experience since it was my first competition abroad," Araujo told the IPC.

Two years after claiming her first official titles as a swimmer, Araujo was invited to Sao Paulo by the Agitos Foundation, the development arm of the IPC, to take part in a training camp.

Over the past 18 months, a total of 155 athletes, coaches and classifiers from 23 countries and regions, including Araujo, have benefited from the expert training provided during the 'Road to Rio 2016: Agitos Foundation' sessions. Organized in partnership with the Rio 2016 Organizing Committee and the Brazilian Paralympic Committee, these sessions aimed to improve coaching and Para sport standards as part of the legacy of Latin America's first Paralympic Games, according to the IPC.

Above all, Araujo is extremely excited to be participating in her first Paralympics. "I want to show everyone that with effort, you can make your dreams come true," she said. Endit