Gema Hassen-Bey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gema Victoria Hassen-Bey González
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in 2017
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| Born | 2 July 1967 |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Occupation | journalist |
| Known for | Paralympic wheelchair fencer |
Gema Victoria Hassen-Bey González, born on July 2, 1967, is a Spanish journalist and an amazing athlete. She is famous for her skills in wheelchair fencing, where she has won medals at the Paralympic Games. Gema also had the honor of carrying Spain's flag at the Paralympics in 2004. Beyond fencing, she has taken on incredible challenges like climbing mountains in her wheelchair.
Contents
Early Life and Sports Career
Becoming a Paralympic Athlete
Gema Hassen-Bey was born in Madrid, Spain, in 1967. When she was just four years old, she was in a car accident. This accident caused her to become paraplegic, meaning she could not move her legs. After an operation on her spine, she spent a year recovering in bed.
Despite these challenges, Gema became a talented athlete. She chose wheelchair fencing, a sport where athletes use wheelchairs while competing.
Paralympic Achievements
Gema Hassen-Bey has competed in many Paralympic Games, which are like the Olympic Games for athletes with disabilities.
- At the 1992 Summer Paralympics in Barcelona, Spain, she won two bronze medals. She earned one in the individual épée category B and another in the women's team épée.
- She continued her success at the 1996 Summer Paralympics. There, she won another bronze medal in the women's épée team event.
- Gema also competed in the 2000 Summer Paralympics in Sydney, Australia.
- In 2004, she went to the 2004 Summer Paralympics in Athens, Greece. This was a special moment because she was chosen to be the flag bearer for Spain. This means she led her country's team during the opening ceremony.
- Her last Paralympic appearance was at the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing, China.
Mountain Climbing Challenges
Reaching New Heights
Gema Hassen-Bey is not only a fencer but also an adventurer. She has taken on incredible challenges, like climbing mountains in her wheelchair. Her goal is to become the first woman in a wheelchair to reach the top of Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak.
In 2017, she attempted to climb Teide, Spain's highest mountain, located on the island of Tenerife. She had to stop her climb at over 3,700 meters (about 12,100 feet). Even though she didn't reach the very top, she made history. She became the first Paralympic athlete in a wheelchair to reach an altitude of 3,000 meters (about 9,800 feet) using only her arms.
Specialized Equipment
These amazing challenges are often supported by sponsors. One of the goals of these projects is to help develop a special type of handbike. This handbike is designed to allow her to climb these very tall mountains. It helps her use her arm strength to move forward and upward.
Bike Recovery Incident
In 2017, Gema's special bike was stolen. She had parked it in a spot reserved for people with disabilities while attending an event. Luckily, the police were able to find her bike and return it to her the very next day.
See also
In Spanish: Gema Hassen-Bey para niños
