News : A Paralympic athlete and her guide get engaged on the track in Tokyo
The Olympic and Paralympic Games always leave us endearing images and stories to keep. Unforgettable brands, tears after many months of stress and tension, overflowing joys. And then we also have anecdotes to keep in the video library, like the one that has come down to us after the series of the series of the 200 meters T11 in the Tokyo tartan during the Paralympic Games. The athlete from Cape Verde Keula Nidreia Pereira Semedo failed to qualify for the grand final of his modality, but he did not return home empty.
Competing since 2005
The Cape Verdean, who is visually impaired, saw how her guide Manuel Antonio Vaz da Veiga (obviously she needs to run with someone), who is also her partner, knelt on the same tartan on the track of the Tokyo National Stadium to ask her for marriage. Semedo has been competing in track and field since 2005 and her boyfriend came up with no better place than his ‘second home’ to carry out his plan. “We have been together for 11 years, so I thought it was time to take the next step. Why not there? ”The guide later said.
Semedo accepted through tears and to the applause of all the rivals in a magical moment of these Games. Without a doubt, the relationship that they have both forged is very very special as they share their lives on and off the slopes. “I have no words to describe how I feel. I’m sure our parents will go crazy. They will love it. These were my first games, but with my age and my speed I thought about quitting. Now I have a maximum motivation, to continue by his side, ”said Semedo.
💍He * the guide * put a ring on it 💍
💕Guide proposed to 🇨🇻 Cape Verde Para athlete after the 200m T11 heats.
👰🏾♀️ + 🤵🏾♂️ Keula Nidreia Pereira Semedo & Manuel Antonio Vaz de Veiga #ParaAthletics #Paralympics # Tokyo2020
pic.twitter.com/f6a7aXxXGL– #ParaAthletics # Tokyo2020 (@ParaAthletics) September 2, 2021