- Content: Why Paralympian Daniel Romanchuk Thanks God for ‘Opportunities’ He’s Had
By Movieguide® Contributor
Paralympian Daniel Romanchuk shocked the world with his talent when he took home gold at the Tokyo Paralympic Games in the 400-meter T54 for wheelchair racing and bronze in the marathon T54.
“It’s a huge honor to be able to go to the Games and to represent the U.S. on a world stage,” Romanchuk told Fox News. “After everything had sunk in with winning the 400, at first, I was just thankful. Really thankful to God for the opportunities that I’ve had. And to the sponsors, and friends and family, teammates, coaches, everyone who had helped me along my journey.”
The athlete is looking forward to this year’s Paris Games, where he hopes to win gold again.
“I think one thing I learned from my youth sports program is just give it everything I have in both training and preparation and in the race. And whatever happens, happens. Just do your best and, if I do my best, I’ll be happy with whatever happens.”
Romanchuk is a member of the Clif Corps’ Athlete Coalition, and he launched Wheels for Change, a non-profit that helps differently-abled people with free transportation.
The athlete is also the world record holder in the 800-meter and 5,000-meter distances and has won several marathons.
Before Romanchuk’s birth, his parents knew he had myelomeningocele spina bifida and would never be able to walk. However, they knew that his life would be full of meaning.
“We were in shock a couple of days,” his mom Kim said. “But then came that understanding and true knowledge that this was not a surprise to God. He will use this for good and that what we see as hopeless, God knows and God’s got it — we just had to truly trust that and give it over to Him.”
The gold medalist just got engaged last month.
He posted on Instagram, “She said ‘Yes!’ Forever thankful to God for bringing us together and excited for a lifetime to grow together in love for each other and Him❤️”
Movieguide® previously reported on another Paralympian, Grace Norman:
Norman won her first Paralympic gold medal in Rio in 2016 and has won over 20 combined medals in the World Paratriathlon Championships, the USA Paratriathlon National Championships, the World Paratriathlon Event, and the 2021 Americas Triathlon Para Championships Pleasant Prairie event.
However, Norman revealed that her strength comes from her faith in God.
“It’s a part of who I am, and so that means a lot of just giving my life, my workouts, my competitions over to God… there’s a lot more peace that comes with that. I’m not terrified because I know He has a plan,” she said on the K-Love News podcast.
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