Children now run towards Araujo, not away from him

At the 2024 Paris Paralympics, Gabriel Araujo finished top among the world’s best swimmers thrice, as he completed a hat-trick of titles in the men’s 200m freestyle, 50m and 100m backstroke S2 events.

- Kimberly Kwek Sports Correspondent

It was not just his success in the pool that won fans over - his dance moves on the pool deck and infectious energy made him a crowd favourite.

The Brazilian - who has phocomelia, a congenital condition that results in shortened or malformed arms and legs - has seen his life change drastically since the Paris Games, with his affable personality bringing him public recognition.

One encounter with a father and daughter at a shopping mall stands out.

The young girl was shy at first, but as they left, she ran back to give him a hug and for Araujo, who has atrophied legs and no arms, it was a moving reminder of how much perceptions have shifted.

“It’s really special with children because in the past they would run away from me, but now they run towards me,” said Araujo in an interview ahead of the Toyota World Para Swimming Championships in Singapore.

“There’s recognition in Paris, but also in Brazil. Everywhere I go, every city I go, people recognise me and want to take a picture, especially children.