Nikos Papangelis, a Greek para cyclist

Nikos’ life took an unexpected turn when he was diagnosed with cancer, leading to the amputation of his left leg. Far from letting this setback deter him, Nikos resolved to take on high-performance sports, turning a new leaf in his life.

He began his journey as a competitive swimmer, participating in a 1k open water competition in Vouliagmeni, Athens. However, his true passion lay in the world of para triathlon and para cycling. A testament to his dedication and commitment, Nikos maintains a rigorous schedule with at least nine training sessions each week.

His journey in sports has been nothing short of inspiring, highlighted by his achievement in 2018 when he won 3rd place at the UCI Para-Cycling Road World Cup in Emmen, the Netherlands. This was a pivotal moment for Nikos, marking his first international medal.

Despite the challenges that come with high-performance sports, Nikos has never considered quitting. In his own words, sports make him feel complete as a human being and have helped him overcome difficult times. His biggest dream is to win a medal at the Paralympics.