by Larry Eder
This is the first 2024 NIKE Pre Classic Presser session, introduced by Jeff Oliver and moderated by Paul Swangard and Katharine Merry.
The Para athletes are Martina Caironi (Italy) and Salum Ageze Khazfali (Norway).
Both have fascinating stories.
Martina Caironi won gold in the 100m in London 2012 and silver in the long jump in Rio 2016. She articulated that it is hard for Para athletes to find competition until they reach the very top of the Paralympic pyramid. She has given a popular TED talk on how sport can help us.
Salum Ageze Khazfali lost all but 2 percent of his site. “It is quite hard to run in a straight line” with little sight. Nonetheless, Salum has run 10.37 for the 100 meters. Salum spoke about his challenges and how his focus on sports has helped him.
Salum has competed in Paralympic and able-bodied competitions. In 2019, he won the 100m in t12 in Doha in 10.45. He came back and won the Norwegian Athletics Champs in 10.37!
In 2021, Salum won the 100 meters at Tokyo 2020 in T12 and the European Champs in Bydgoczyc in T12.
Both look forward to the NIKE Pre Classic and the Paralympics, which will be held this summer after the Paris Olympics.
To see the complete schedule for the 2024 NIKE Pre Classic, please go here: https://eugene.diamondleague.com/home/
