Only a handful of Paralympians have also competed at an Olympic Games. These are three of the most celebrated, apart from Natalia Partyka of Poland, who is pushing the limits in table tennis.
Assunta Legnante (athletics), Beijing 2008 and London 2012
A visually impaired shot-putter who competed for Italy in the Beijing Olympics, then in the Paralympic version four years later in London. Having been born with congenital glaucoma in both eyes, she lost sight in her right eye in 2009 and has only partial vision in her left eye. She broke her own world record at the Paralympic Games in 2012.
Oscar Pistorius (athletics), London 2012
The track sprinter was born without the fibula bone in his legs. Upon doctors’ advice, his parents agreed that he should have his legs amputated below the knee before he attempted to learn how to walk. After mastering the use of prosthetic limbs, he was encouraged to pursue a life in sport. He holds multiple records in Paralympic sprint events, and was allowed to compete in London 2012, once a ban that stopped him from competing against able-bodied athletes was quashed.
Natalie du Toit (swimming), Beijing 2008
Du Toit was an international swimmer from the age of 14, when she represented South Africa at the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur. In 2001, she was involved in a traffic accident on her way home from swimming practice and the injuries led to her left leg being amputated below the knee. She was one of two Paralympians – the other was Natalia Partyka – to compete at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, placing 16th in the 10-kilometre open-water swim.
