BEATRICE VIO - Iconic Speech

In anticipation of the upcoming 2021 Laureus World Sports Awards we’re taking a look back at some of the most iconic speeches from winners in the history of the event.

In 2017, wheelchair fencer Beatrice Vio received the Laureus Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award from sporting legends Alessandro Del Piero and Clarence Seedorf.

At London in 2012, Vio was a 15-year-old torchbearer representing future Paralympians. In Rio she achieved her dream of not just competing in the Games but also making the podium twice. She came out of the pool stage undefeated, winning her five bouts.

The final saw her beat China's Jingjing Zhou to win the gold medal. She also led the Italian team to a bronze medal. Vio remains the only quadruple amputee in international wheelchair fencing and continues to fight for meningococcal vaccinations and meningitis awareness.

“I think that all of us are very lucky to be here because we practice sport. I think that sport is the best thing in the world, and I’m here thanks to sport. My life is made of sport, and I want to say thank you because through sport we can understand that we have a team” - Beatrice Vio