Paralympic sprinter Marissa Papaconstantinou on track, dreaming big
Marissa Papaconstantinou gives her all in the final stretch of the 200m semi-final event at the Tokyo Paralympics. (Photo: Courtesy of the Canadian Paralympic Committee)
Canadian Paralympic track star Marissa Papaconstantinou, 22, didn鈥檛 have the chance to try running until she was 12 years old.
But 10 years later, this past summer, she won a bronze medal in the 100m sprint at the Tokyo Paralympics, recording personal bests in that race, and in the 200m event.
鈥淚 just stayed really focused on my lane and controlling what I can control. And, I walked away with a personal best and a new Canadian record,鈥� she said proudly.
While she didn鈥檛 reach the podium in her main event- the 200m, in which she placed fifth- for the Ryerson Sport Media student, it was anything but a loss.
鈥淚 just focused on running my PB (personal best) and I did get personal bests in both the 200m and 100m. What more can you ask of someone than that?鈥� she said.
The mindset is a reflection of how she lives life. And it鈥檚 always been this way - for Papaconstantinou, defeat is nearly impossible.
Strength from family, friends
The native of Scarborough, Ont., where she lives with her parents, Kathy and Bill, and sister, Kristin, was born without a right foot - but the disability never stopped her.
鈥淢y family has always made me feel like I can do and achieve anything,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t was the same with my friends growing up. They never made me feel like I was different.鈥�
Papaconstantinou got into running as soon as she possibly could - which meant waiting until she had reached a certain size to be able to wear the equipment. (Now, she says technology has evolved to make blade running possible for those of even younger ages and smaller sizes.)
鈥淭he first time I tried a running blade, it felt like I had two feet for the first time.鈥� -Marissa Papaconstantinou
With the running blade increasing her overall ability and mobility 鈥渢remendously鈥�, from that point onward, she was hooked.
Disqualified in Rio
Papaconstantinou鈥檚 Paralympic debut came at the age of 16 in Rio. That experience has made her Tokyo success even sweeter.
鈥淚 qualified for the final in the 200m, but was cited for a lane violation and disqualified,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hen in the 100m, I missed getting into the final by 0.06 seconds.鈥�
She didn鈥檛 let it get her down.
鈥淚t was my first Paralympics, and I think it was important to not take it too seriously鈥� When you enjoy what you do, really amazing things can happen,鈥� she said.
Marissa Papaconstantinou competes in the semi-final of the 100m event in Tokyo. She went on to win a bronze medal. (Photo: Courtesy of the Canadian Paralympic Committee)
Pandemic 鈥榓n opportunity鈥�
Other hurdles included the 2017 World Championships in London, where Papaconstantinou suffered a torn hamstring, .
Then, in 2019, she tore her hamstring tendon - and just as she was getting back on track, the pandemic set in.
Papaconstantinou鈥檚 positive outlook kicked in once again.
While it was tough training in her basement, she says the pandemic was a chance to come to peace with the obstacles she鈥檇 faced, and 鈥渞emind myself why I love the sport so much.鈥�
It鈥檚 with that spirit that she headed into the Tokyo Games - an experience that鈥檚 now paving the way for a promising future.
鈥淭he Paris Olympics are going to come up super quick because there鈥檚 only three years in between now. So that's what we're working towards,鈥� she said.
Success on the track - and off
But that鈥檚 not all she鈥檚 working towards.
The national, full-time athlete had also been managing a full-time undergraduate course load with The Creative School at Ryerson. She realized after her second year that adjustments were needed to conquer both.
She switched to part-time studies, and is now set to graduate in spring 2022.
鈥淚 had to take a step back and say, 鈥極kay, I still want to do school, but to give my everything and be satisfied with what I've done, I need to take it at a slower pace,鈥� she said.
Future sports broadcasting career
As for life beyond the track, it was the coverage of the Rio Games - or lack of - that inspired her future career.
鈥淚 was really disappointed with the media coverage of the Paralympics in Rio compared to the Olympics鈥� that's why I really made it a goal for myself - I want to be able to advocate for parasport and for the coverage on television,鈥� she said.
The recent coverage of the Paralympic Games in Tokyo by CP and CBC gives her hope.
鈥�It was so incredible to see primetime coverage of all of the athletes, and see highlights of their races and competitions. I really want to be a part of that process to make the Paralympic movement grow,鈥� she said.
A quick glance at her social media accounts shows she鈥檚 already started. From clips of her , to putting a , Papaconstantinou鈥檚 posts on and showcase the life of a Paralympian - and make it look...well, cool.
鈥淚 think a big reason why there鈥檚 been a bit more attention on the Paralympic movement in the past year with Tokyo is from the content being produced on Tik Tok. You know, when a pair of athletes show how they practice or how they put on their prosthetic leg - I think it's very interesting for people,鈥� she said.
And, just as she hopes to continue supporting other para-athletes in the future, she says it鈥檚 important for allies to remember the impact they can have on those with disabilities too.
鈥淚t can be something as simple as making someone feel like you believe in them,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t can do wonders.鈥�
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