As the world readies itself for the upcoming 2024 Paris Paralympics, the excitement and anticipation are palpable. Occurring every two years in conjunction with the biennial Olympic Games, the Paralympics exclusively feature athletes with disabilities ranging from vision impairment to amputations.
A remarkable example of the iconic Paralympian spirit and resilience is fencer Beatrice Vio, more commonly known as Bebe. This trailblazing Paralympian athlete inspires others not only with her athletic caliber, but with her unique and empowering journey.
About The Athlete
Vio is a remarkable Italian fencer with an inspiring story of resilience and hope. Born in Venice, Vio's passion for fencing began at the young age of five. At 11, Vio contracted meningitis and had a lifesaving procedure performed that amputated both her legs at the knees and both her forearms. After months of rehabilitation, she was finally able to continue her passion for fencing.
As a wheelchair fencer, she now uses special prosthetics that allow her to hold her foil (the traditional fencing weapon) and fence from her shoulder. In 2010, she was able to compete in her first wheelchair fencing competition, and her success only skyrocketed from there.
She was chosen as a torchbearer for the opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Paralympic Games through an online campaign of supporters inspired by her story. The following year, she won her first World Cup after defeating Paralympic medalist Gyöngyi Dani, resulting in recognition from the International Paralympic Committee.
After a series of wins and growing support, Vio went on to win gold in both the 2016 and 2020 Paralympic Games. This is particularly historical as she is the only wheelchair fencer in the world to compete with both no arms as well as no legs.
Image Credit: Marie-Lan Nguyen from Wikimedia Commons
Inspiring Change
Vio was featured in the Netflix documentary Rising Phoenix (2020), which spotlighted the stories of nine Paralympic athletes. Through medical rehabilitation, relearning the art of fencing with her amputations, and facing athletic losses in the competitive world, the Italian fencer is not a stranger to hardship and times of uncertainty.
Despite her challenges, Vio has leveraged her social media platform and fanbase to become vocal about maintaining hope and resilience. In 2009, alongside her family, she even founded the organization Art4Sport, a nonprofit that guides those with disabilities in life through sport.
Vio continues to share the effects of her illness and has become a passionate advocate for early vaccination. She advocates through organizations, partners with fitness brands such as Nike, and speaks publicly about her story. She even became a global ambassador for beauty brand L'Oréal Paris, where she proudly displays her scars and prosthetics to normalize disabilities.
Vio also published the autobiographies Mi hanno regalato un sogno (“They gifted me a dream") and Se sembra impossibile allora si può fare (“If it seems impossible, then it can be done”). Both convey inspirational messages, empowering readers through Vio's own story of accomplishment.
Image Credit: European Parliament from Wikimedia Commons
The Paralympics: Celebrating Achievement and Inclusivity
Vio is a remarkable embodiment of everything the Paralympic Games stand for. The first Paralympics took place in 1960, with 400 athletes from 23 countries competing. Today, the Paralympics have expanded in competing size, popularity, disability recognition, and overall message.
While the original Paralympics only featured athletes in wheelchairs, the event today celebrates the achievements of athletes with a wide range of disabilities. Additionally, particularly in recent years, the Paralympics have focused on ability rather than disability. The competition aims to spotlight individual athletic achievements without excessive emphasis on the athletes' physical conditions.
Paralympic athletes like Bebe Vio inspire athletes of every physical state to pursue their dreams in spite of unexpected obstacles.
In the words of Vio, “If we want to normalize disabilities, we need to see them. My scars and prosthetic limbs are visual reminders of who I am and why I matter. If people like me can’t see themselves in big places, how can they dream big?”
