EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A Coronado High School alum will represent El Paso and Team USA while competing in the Paris Paralympic Games.
Ryan Medrano, 27, will compete in the Men’s 100 meters T38, 400 meters T38, and long jump in the Paralympic Games.
The T38 classification is for athletes with cerebral palsy or traumatic brain injury who have mild to moderate coordination impairments.
As KTSM previously reported, Medrano was born with mild cerebral palsy and was told that he was not supposed to walk.
“Ryan’s achievements remind us that with determination and hard work, anything is possible. He exemplifies the spirit of our district, and we are all cheering for him as he competes on the world stage,” said El Paso Independent School District (EPISD) Superintendent Diana Sayavedra said.
Medrano participated in wrestling while he attended high school, according to a news release by EPISD.
“Ryan’s journey from our local high schools to the Paralympic Games is nothing short of remarkable. His commitment and ability to overcome challenges are powerful examples for all our student-athletes. We are excited to see him represent El Paso and the United States in Paris,” EPISD Athletic Director David Cervantes said.
“I’m really pushing to try to get that gold and bring that home for the Sun City. To be able to repay everybody that’s ever believed in me, every donation I’ve gotten, every friend that said, ‘I believe in you,’ it’s like a push on the back to push me past that finish line,” Medrano said in an interview.
The Men’s 100m T38 event is scheduled for 3 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31; the 400m T38 event is expected to happen at 3 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 3; and the long jump T38 event is scheduled for 6 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 4, all Mountain Time.
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