Elena Congost facts for kids
![]() Congost running 1500 m with a guide at the 2016 Paralympics
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Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Nationality | Spanish | |||||||||||||||||||
Born | Madrid, Spain |
20 September 1987 |||||||||||||||||||
Sport | ||||||||||||||||||||
Country | ![]() |
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Sport | Paralympic athletics | |||||||||||||||||||
Disability class | T12 | |||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Elena Congost Mohedano is a talented athlete from Spain. She was born in Madrid on September 20, 1987. Elena is known for her amazing achievements in Paralympic athletics.
She has a vision impairment, which means she cannot see very well. Athletes like Elena are classified as T12 or B2 depending on their level of vision. Even with this challenge, she has competed in many Paralympic Games. Elena won a gold medal in the marathon at the 2016 Summer Paralympics and a silver medal in the 1500 meters at the 2012 Summer Paralympics. She is also a teacher!
About Elena
Elena Congost was born with an eye condition that slowly made her vision worse. This started when she was still in school. She decided to become a teacher, showing her dedication to helping others.
In 2008, Elena moved to Castelldefels, near Barcelona. She continued to live and train in that area. In 2013, she lived at a special High Performance Centre. This center helps top athletes train for big competitions. There, she even shared a room with famous swimmer Mireia Belmonte.
Elena has been a vegan since 2009. This means she chooses not to eat any animal products. She believes this diet has helped her feel much healthier and stronger.
Her Athletic Journey
Elena is a T12/B2 athlete, which means she competes in events for athletes with vision impairments. She is part of the ISS L'Hospitalet Atletisme club.
Early Competitions
Elena started competing in big events early in her career.
- In 2002, she finished seventh in the long jump at the IPC World Championship in France.
- In 2003, she won a silver medal in a 4x400 meter relay race at the IBSA World Games Athletics. She also placed fifth in the long jump.
- She competed in the 2004 Summer Paralympics, finishing seventh in the 200-meter race.
- At the 2006 World Athletics Championships, she placed fifth in the 800-meter race.
Paralympic Success
Elena has competed in several Paralympic Games, showing incredible determination.
- She took part in the 2008 Summer Paralympics, where she finished sixth in the 1500-meter race.
- In 2011, she earned a silver medal in the T12 1500-meter race at the IPC World Athletics Championships.
- At the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London, Elena won a silver medal in the 1500-meter race. This was a huge achievement for her and for Spain.
- In May 2013, she won a gold medal in the 1500 meters at the Spanish national championships.
- Elena's biggest win came at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro. She won the gold medal in the marathon T12 event, a truly amazing accomplishment!
Recent Competitions
Elena continued to compete at the highest level.
- She also competed at the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris.
- In the marathon T12 event at the 2024 Paralympics, she initially finished third. However, she was later disqualified. This happened because she briefly let go of the tether connecting her to her guide runner near the finish line. She did this to help her guide, who was having trouble finishing the race.