Marieke Vervoort

Marieke Vervoort was a Belgian paralympic athlete, born on May 10, 1979, in Diest, Belgium. She showcased her undeniable talent and strength in the face of adversity, marking her as one of the most inspiring paralympians ever. Vervoort began her professional career in wheelchair racing, moving on to wheelchair basketball and then triathlon. She won multiple titles, including a gold and silver at the 2012 London Paralympics and a silver and bronze at the 2016 Rio Paralympics.

Vervoort was known for her incredible speed, strength, and versatile abilities. She received numerous individual awards and was recognized for her significant contributions to sports and perseverance in the face of her degenerative muscle disease.

Off the field, Vervoort was also widely recognized for her advocacy work, making significant contributions to disability rights and inspiring millions worldwide.

Early Career

• Vervoort was diagnosed with a degenerative muscle disease at a young age, but this didn't stop her from developing a passion for sports. She initially began with wheelchair basketball and then moved on to wheelchair racing and swimming.

Paralympics

• Vervoort made her Paralympic debut in the 2012 London Games, where she won a gold medal in the T52 100m wheelchair race and a silver in the 200m race. She returned for the 2016 Rio Games, winning a silver and bronze in the T51/52 400m and 100m races respectively.

Belgian National Paralympic Team

• Debut: Made her debut for Belgium in 2007 at the Para-Cycling World Championships.

Achievements:

• Paralympic Games: Gold and Silver medallist in 2012, Silver and Bronze medallist in 2016.
• World Championships: Multiple medallist in both athletics and triathlon.

• Position: Primarily a wheelchair racer, but also competed in wheelchair basketball and triathlon.
• Skills: Known for her incredible speed, strength, endurance, and versatility. Vervoort is celebrated for her determination, resilience, and ability to inspire others.

• Family: Vervoort was single and had no children. She had a loyal Labrador named Zenn.
• Activism: Vervoort was a vocal advocate for euthanasia and disability rights, using her platform to raise awareness and influence policy.

• Marieke Vervoort is celebrated not only for her extraordinary talent and resilience in the face of adversity but also for her advocacy and impact on disability rights. Her life, both on and off the field, has inspired countless individuals around the world.

Paralympic Games:

• Gold medal in T52 100m wheelchair race, 2012.
• Silver medal in T52 200m wheelchair race, 2012.
• Silver medal in T51/52 400m race, 2016.
• Bronze medal in T51/52 100m race, 2016.

World Championships:

• Multiple medals in athletics and triathlon.

Books

• Vervoort, M. (2012) Wielemie. Sporten voor het leven. Antwerp: Houtekiet.

Websites

• Paralympic.org: Information about Marieke Vervoort's career and achievements. Available at: https://www.paralympic.org
• Belgian Paralympic Committee: Details about Vervoort's career. Available at: https://www.paralympic.be

Articles

• The Guardian: Marieke Vervoort, Paralympic champion and euthanasia advocate, dies at 40. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/oct/23/marieke-vervoort-paralympic-champion-and-euthanasia-advocate-dies

Interviews and Documentaries

• Marieke (2016): Directed by Roel Van Broekhoven. This documentary provides a detailed look at Vervoort's life, featuring interviews with her and her close network.