as the paralympic games in Paris 2024 unfold one name stands out in the archery Arena Damian leul known for his perseverance and dedication L's return to the archery field is nothing short of inspirational this Sunday September 1st he will compete in the archery tournament on the esplanad the invalides a location steeped in personal significance the Damian Lal story is one of remarkable resilience he first made a mark in the world of archery at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta however his life took a drastic turn in 1997 when a severe accident left him with partial tetraplegia despite the challenges Letter's indomitable Spirit led him to return to the sport he loves his journey of recovery took him through the corridors of the institution National the invalides a centerp I Ally reserved for soldiers it was there that he began to rebuild his life and career initially letu struggled with the idea of competing in archery again for a long time I resisted the notion of returning to archery I couldn't fathom competing at a high level with a body that wasn't functioning at 100% he confided it wasn't until the announcement of the Paris games in 2017 that he decided to fully commit to his comeback this decision reflects his character as noted by his friend and former Olympic champion Sebastian flute Damian is a person of immense determination and generosity when he decides to do something he puts all his energy into it let's path was not without hurdles on November 7th 1997 during a birthday celebration at The Institute National dport he suffered a tragic fall from a rooftop the injury was so severe that doctors doubted his chances of survival and predicted he would only be able to move his eyelids despite these dire predictions let's sense of humor and mental toughness played crucial roles in his recovery his former coach ludak C remembers this period widly Damian's humor and fighting Spirit were key in overcoming the hardships now at 51 leur faces a significant challenge as he competes in the W1 category which features athletes with the most severe disabilities the final of this event takes place in a poignant setting right in front of the military hospital where leul underwent his Rehabilitation this symbolic backdrop adds a deeper layer to his participation illustrating not just his skill but his enduring commitment to the sport and his personal Journey as he prepares to face opponents from around the world let you embodies the essence of the paralympic spirit resilience cour marage and the Relentless pursuit of Excellence his presence on the archery field in Paris is a testament to the transformative power of sport and the unyielding strength of the human Spirit stay subscribed for more videos