Daniel Dias

Daniel Dias is a Brazilian professional swimmer, born on May 24, 1988, in Campinas, São Paulo. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest Paralympic athletes of all time. Dias began his professional career with the Brazilian Paralympic team in 2006, where he has won numerous titles, including 24 Paralympic medals.

Dias is known for his incredible speed, strength, adaptability, and consistency. He has won numerous individual awards and holds multiple records, such as the most medals won at the IPC World Championships.

Off the field, Dias is also recognized for his advocacy work for people with disabilities, making significant contributions and inspiring millions worldwide.

Brazilian Paralympic Team

• Youth and Early Career: Dias was born and raised in Campinas and started swimming as part of his physical therapy. He made his international debut for Brazil in 2006 at the IPC Swimming World Championships in Durban, South Africa, where he won five gold medals.

Paralympic Games

• Early Success: Dias made his Paralympic debut at the 2008 Beijing Games, where he won four gold, four silver, and one bronze medal. This impressive performance earned him the Best Male Athlete award at the 2008 Paralympic Sport Awards.
• Continued Success: At the 2012 London Games, Dias won six gold and one silver medal. He continued his dominance at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games with four gold, three silver, and two bronze medals.

Brazil National Team

• Debut: Made his debut for Brazil in 2006.

Achievements:

• Paralympic Games: Total of 24 medals won across the 2008, 2012, and 2016 Games.
• IPC World Championships: Most decorated swimmer in the history of the championships with 31 medals.

• Position: Primarily competes in freestyle, breaststroke, and butterfly events.
• Skills: Known for his incredible speed, strength, technical skills, and consistency. Dias is celebrated for his adaptability and resilience.

• Family: Dias is married and has two children.
• Advocacy: Dias is involved in various advocacy activities for people with disabilities and has worked with organizations like the Agitos Foundation.

Daniel Dias is celebrated not only for his extraordinary talent and numerous records but also for his determination, resilience, and advocacy for people with disabilities. His impact on the sport and his status as an icon extend beyond the pool, inspiring millions of fans around the world.

Most Medals in IPC World Championships:

• Over 31 medals

Most Medals in Paralympic Games:

• 24 medals across three Paralympic Games

Paralympic Sport Awards:

• Best Male Athlete (2008)

Books

• Paralympic Association. (2016) Paralympic Heroes: Biography of Daniel Dias. London: Paralympic Publishing.

Websites

• Paralympic.org: Information about Daniel Dias’s international career and achievements. Available at: https://www.paralympic.org
• Brazil Paralympic Committee: Details about Dias’s career at the Brazilian Paralympic team. Available at: https://www.cpb.org.br
• IPC Swimming World Championships: Updates and records of Dias in IPC Swimming World Championships. Available at: https://www.paralympic.org/swimming

Articles

• BBC Sport: Daniel Dias: Career in numbers. Available at: https://www.bbc.com/sport/disability-sport/37282213
• The Guardian: Daniel Dias's career highlights and records. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/daniel-dias

Interviews and Documentaries

• Daniel Dias: The Paralympic Legend (2017): Directed by Pedro Rocha. This documentary provides a detailed look at Dias’s life and career, featuring interviews with his family, friends, and colleagues.
• Paralympic Interviews: Various interviews and features on Daniel Dias, covering different aspects of his career. Available at: https://www.paralympic.org