In 2012, an ad thanked the London Olympics for “warming up” for the upcoming Paralympics. It was a creative way to remember that those two events are interconnected and have equal importance. Therefore, it is impossible to talk about leadership in Olympic history without celebrating Paralympic heroes.

Esther Veeger is one of them. An eight-time Paralympic champion in wheelchair tennis, she won 424 consecutive matches, beginning in 2013. Through her achievements and activism, she had a crucial role in advancing parasports in her home country, the Netherlands. In 2002, she won the prestigious World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability and was equally nominated in 2005 and 2006. Last year, she was one of the 10 recipients of the 2023 Athletes in Excellence Award, conceded to athletes in recognition of athletic achievements, humanitarian efforts, community outreach and youth mentorship.

She could easily have used these achievements just to enjoy fame and celebrity. However, as she retired, she decided to build legacy. She created the Esther Vergeer Foundation and as Chef de Mission of several Paralympics, including the upcoming the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, she is supporting the next generation of paralympic athletes. She takes the time to connect with athletes, know their backgrounds, and share the learnings she had in her journey.

There are many ways of being a leader in the field of play, and one of them is to champion other athletes, so they can also go faster, higher, and stronger – together.

#100DaysofSummer #LegacyGroupe