Sofia Gonzalez
Due to a congenital deformity, Sofia’s right leg was amputated when she was just three years old.
Due to a congenital deformity, Sofia’s right leg was amputated when she was just three years old.
A great love of speed
Sofia always loved doing sports: Dancing, skiing and horse riding were her favourites.
In 2017, she participated in the Ottobock Running Clinic in Switzerland at the age of 14. Heinrich Popow showed her how to run on a running prosthesis and inspired her. She was thrilled by her ability to run.
This was the beginning of her para athletics career. “I love the feeling of speed when I’m running. Being able to run brings me joy, and I’m proud that I can share my experiences and inspire others.”
Sofia Gonzalez, Para-Leichtathletin und Ottobock Botschafterin“I always tell myself that my strength is what makes me different. And I want to show the world that even with an amputation, you can accomplish great things and be proud of who you are.”
The science around sports is another focus
Sofia ran her first race at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Nottwill, Switzerland – just about a year after she tried running on a running prosthesis for the first time. Since then, she has improved her times in the 100 metres and her long jump results, and finished 5th at the World Para Athletics Championship in Dubai in 2019.
She qualified for the Paralympic Games in Tokyo and made it into the top 10 in the 100 metres and long jump.
Aside from sports, she focusses on her international Bachelor's degree in "sports science and management".
Key facts
Nation: Switzerland
Year of birth: 2001
Sport: Para athletics – 100 m, long jump
Classification: T63
Coaches: Georg Pfarrwaller, Christian Dössegger
Club: CA Riviera, Plusport
Victories and achievements
Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games:
7th place in the 100 metres
8th place in the long jump
World Para Athletics Championships Dubai 2019:
5th place in the 100 metres
9th place in the long jump
European Para Athletics Championships Bydgoszcz 2021:
Bronze medal in the 100 metres and 5th place in the long jump
European Para Athletics Championships Berlin 2018:
4th place in the 100 metres
Para Athletics Grand Prix Dubai 2018 and Nottwil 2019:
Silver medal in the 100 metres