Paralympic Perspectives: Verena Bentele

Verena Bentele from Tettnang, Germany, is a decorated Paralympic biathlete competing in the visually impaired class. As a 16-year-old, Bentele won her first four medals at the Paralympic Winter Games in Nagano in 1998. Four years later, she won another four gold medals in Salt Lake City 2002, followed by three additional medals in Torino 2006 . Bentele is a gold-medal contender for biathlon in Vancouver 2010.

For athletes throughout the world, it is the same. We train for several years, not knowing for certain if we will make our way to the Olympic or Paralympic Games.

My first Paralympic Winter Games were in Nagano, Japan in 1998. I was a girl. At just 16 years old, it was simply a great pleasure for me to take part in such a fantastic event; the best thing for me was that no one expected anything from me. It was my first Paralympic Games, and I won my first gold medal in biathlon!

Four years later, I competed in the Salt Lake City 2002 Paralympic Winter Games. It was very special for me because my life had gone through many changes in the year leading up to the Games. I had finished school, started my studies at the University of Munich, and for the first time I was able to train as a professional athlete. With my guide, I trained for a month solid at the beginning of the season, and then continued with a lot of snow training the whole winter through. Our results at the World Cup events were really good, so I was excited to test my preparations at the next Paralympic Winter Games.

Then, two days before we left Germany to go to the Paralympic Games in Salt Lake City, I had a crash during my training and hurt my right foot. That night as we drove to the doctor, I couldn't stop crying till we were there. The doctor told me that I would not likely take part in the first competition of the Games, and that I should try not to use my foot for the next several days.

In the plane on the way to the United States, the pain was very strong. I couldn't imagine racing in the biathlon. Once we were there, I was only allowed to look at the course. I wasn’t allowed do any training.

I was thinking a lot about my foot the morning the first competition started. Then, when I finally got onto the course to warm up, all thoughts of my injury left my head. Once I was in race mode, I crossed the finish line with the fastest time. I won the gold medal.

What I learned from this experience: Never give up, and always expect that your dreams can come true. You just have to believe in them. I will remember this while training for the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.

Paralympic Perspectives is a celebration of the two-year countdown to the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. This series comprises personal stories written by Paralympians and leaders passionate about the Games. Visit vancouver2010.com every weekday from March 12 through March 21 for a new story of personal triumph and fierce competition.

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