Thomas Geierspichler: Back to the Paralympics-Ruhm at 52!

Thomas Geierspichler: Back to the Paralympics-Ruhm at 52!

Nottwil, Schweiz - Thomas Geierspichler, the well -known racing wheelchair user from Anif, is standing ago: he starts the new season in Nottwil, Switzerland. The 49-year-old is full of anticipation after he had to take a training break last year, which was a direct sequence of his unknown nomination for the 2024 Paralympics in Paris. This decision was a setback for him, but after seven years of continuous training and a needed mental relaxation, vultures are ready to start again.

in Nottwil he will compete over 1,500 meters on Saturday, a distance that is no longer represented at the Paralympics. There will be a competition over 400 meters on Sunday. The athlete uses these races not only for preparation for competition, but also for material tests. However, vultures expects sub -optimal weather conditions and plans to concentrate particularly on the sprint disciplines for the coming years.

A look at the future

Although the Paralympics in 2024 were recently carried out in Paris, Geierspichler's eyes are firmly at the games in Los Angeles in 2028. At that time he will be 52 years old, an age that does not give him off his goal of being in the spotlight again. He has already had success: two gold medals at the Paralympics 2004 and 2008, as well as numerous titles at World and European Championships. The highlight of this season will be the Para World Championships in Neu-Delhi, India at the end of September.

Another local athlete, Ludwig Malter from Golling, could also take part in the World Championships, but had to cancel the World Parathletics Grand Prix in Nottwil due to illness. Geierspichler, who is also known as a marathon world record holder, has its challenges in the faster sprint races that require an adjustment.

The context of the Paralympics

The Paralympic Games have developed considerably since their beginnings. Originally in 1948 from the Stoke Mandeville played in England, the Paralympics are now celebrating enormous successes in the global sports community. Andrew Pearson, the head of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), emphasizes that the Paralympics have increasingly gained independence, while the public interest between the games often subsides. During the Paralympics in Paris 2024, over 60,000 fans were present, a sign of the growing interest in disabled sports.

A total of 22 sports took part in this year's games, and the number of spectators increased enormously. Over 4.25 billion people followed the games and took the relevance of inclusion and sporting opportunities for people with disabilities. Nevertheless, the way to complete acceptance and integration is still a long time, because only about 45 percent of people with disabilities regularly exercise in Germany.

Thomas Geierspichler remains an inspiring example of the tireless struggle for sporting achievements and promoting inclusion in sport. With his view of the Paralympics 2028, he will continue to be an important voice in the disabled.

For more information about Geierspichler's sporting career and the Paralympics, read the reports on Krone , Salzburg24 and Deutschlandfunk Kultur .