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LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 31: Nasser Al-Attiya of Qatar competes in the Men’s Skeet Shooting final round on Day 4 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at The Royal Artillery Barracks on July 31, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 31: Nasser Al-Attiya of Qatar competes in the Men’s Skeet Shooting final round on Day 4 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at The Royal Artillery Barracks on July 31, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
In an extraordinary comeback story, a 60-year-old Venezuelan shooter has defied the hands of time. He secured a spot at the Paris Olympics 2024, a remarkable 40 years after his last appearance at the Games. However, some athletes defy this notion, proving that passion and determination can overcome any obstacle.
He started off his shooting journey in 1984 when he first qualified for the Olympics. Fast forward to 2024, this seasoned athlete has once again qualified for the Olympics. He finished second in men’s trap at the Pan American Games, earning an Olympic spot for his country.
Same road leading to the Paris Olympics 2024
Leonel Martinez, the Venezuelan shooter is set to compete in his second innings at the Paris Olympics in 2024 — 40 years after his first Olympics. He made his Olympic debut in the 1984 Los Angeles Games. According to NBC Sports, Martinez, who is in his glorious 60s, has recently shined at the Pan American Games finishing second. Which bagged him an Olympic spot to play for his country.
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US Lucas Kozeniesky competes during the 10m Air Rifle Men’s at the Olympic Shooting Centre in Rio de Janeiro on August 8, 2016, during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. / AFP / PASCAL GUYOT (Photo credit should read PASCAL GUYOT/AFP via Getty Images)
Venezuela’s Olympic Committee confirmed Martinez’s nomination to compete at the Paris Olympics 2024 through a tweet. However, his vast experience and unwavering determination set him apart. His story finds great resemblance to that of a Swedish shooter, who also in his 60s competed at three Olympic games, bringing home six medals, including three gold medals. Martinez however looks upon one of the greats to which he receives motivation to perform.
Martinez following the footsteps of the great
In terms of overcoming the age barrier for competitive sports, Leonel Martinez has wonderful motivation. Oscar Swahn from Sweden holds records for the oldest Olympian competing at the time, the oldest person to win gold, and the oldest athlete to win an Olympic medal. Swahn’s first Olympic appearance was at the age of 60 at the 1908 Summer Olympics where he won two gold medals in the running deer and single shot events (individual and team).
This achievement served as a significant motivator for Swahn who went on to compete in two more Olympics. The story of these two athletes serves as a testament to the fact that age is just a number when it comes to pursuing one’s passion.
As we look forward to the Paris Olympics 2024, we can expect an exciting competition filled with inspiring stories of determination, skill, and perseverance.Martinez will be competing against a new generation of sharpshooters at the Paris Olympics 2024. He has maintained an exceptional accuracy rate, consistently hitting 98% of his targets, a statistic that rivals and even surpasses many of his younger competitors. While the younger shooters may have the physical edge, Martinez’s mental fortitude and experience set him apart to be a champion and win Gold.
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