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’t 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.
“I 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,” she said proudly.
While she didn’t 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.
“I 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?” she said.
The mindset is a reflection of how she lives life. And it’s 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.
“My family has always made me feel like I can do and achieve anything,” she said. “It was the same with my friends growing up. They never made me feel like I was different.”
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.)
“The first time I tried a running blade, it felt like I had two feet for the first time.” -Marissa Papaconstantinou
With the running blade increasing her overall ability and mobility “tremendously”, from that point onward, she was hooked.
Disqualified in Rio
Papaconstantinou’s Paralympic debut came at the age of 16 in Rio. That experience has made her Tokyo success even sweeter.
“I qualified for the final in the 200m, but was cited for a lane violation and disqualified,” she said. “Then in the 100m, I missed getting into the final by 0.06 seconds.”
She didn’t let it get her down.
“It was my first Paralympics, and I think it was important to not take it too seriously… When you enjoy what you do, really amazing things can happen,” 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 ‘an opportunity’
Other hurdles included the 2017 World Championships in London, where Papaconstantinou suffered a torn hamstring, bravely pushing herself across the finish line (external link) .
Then, in 2019, she tore her hamstring tendon - and just as she was getting back on track, the pandemic set in.
Papaconstantinou’s 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’d faced, and “remind myself why I love the sport so much.”
It’s with that spirit that she headed into the Tokyo Games - an experience that’s now paving the way for a promising future.
“The Paris Olympics are going to come up super quick because there’s only three years in between now. So that's what we're working towards,” she said.
Success on the track - and off
But that’s not all she’s 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.
“I had to take a step back and say, ‘Okay, 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,” 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.
“I was really disappointed with the media coverage of the Paralympics in Rio compared to the Olympics… 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,” she said.
The recent coverage of the Paralympic Games in Tokyo by CP and CBC gives her hope.
“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,” she said.
A quick glance at her social media accounts shows she’s already started. From clips of her putting on her prosthetic and springing into action (external link) , to putting a twist on the Vogue challenge (external link) , Papaconstantinou’s posts on Instagram (external link) and TikTok (external link) showcase the life of a Paralympian - and make it look...well, cool.
“I think a big reason why there’s 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,” she said.
And, just as she hopes to continue supporting other para-athletes in the future, she says it’s important for allies to remember the impact they can have on those with disabilities too.
“It can be something as simple as making someone feel like you believe in them,” she said. “It can do wonders.”
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