In 2019, I started paratriathlon at the elite level. My goal is not only to qualify for the Paralympic Games in Paris 2024 but also to win gold there. I was born with a physical disability. I have muscle shortening from my hip to my feet. When walking, it’s not very noticeable, but it shows when I run. My feet turn inward, and I can’t properly swing my legs back. That never stopped me from training hard. As a child, I had energy for ten; I practiced judo, gymnastics, water polo, and field hockey simultaneously. Paratriathlon and elite sports began as a joke. A doctor friend asked me (early 2018), “Nico, why don’t you compete in paratriathlon at your level? You already train a lot and perform well.” I said I wasn’t disabled and initially didn’t see the point. Still, I attended a talent day at Papendal in 2018, which went well. My first international race for the Dutch Paratriathlon team was in Yokohama, Japan (2019), where I finished first. At my second race in Montreal, I finished second. After these two races, I qualified for top sports status with NOC&NSF. Since 2019, I have been a top athlete, doing everything to compete at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games and win gold. Currently, I am ranked second in the Paratriathlon World Ranking in the PTS3 class.