Paris 2024: From Olympics to Paralympics, Bruna Alexandre is on a mission

For the past month, Brazilian Para table tennis player Bruna Alexandre has been asked about making history. In Paris, she became the first Brazilian to compete in both the Olympic and Paralympic Games in the same year.

The 29-year-old athlete said it was a dream come true to compete at both Games so close together. “Finally, I’ve achieved this dream,” Alexandre shared. “It’s important for me to be here, not just as an athlete, but also as a person with a disability. I want to show that people with disabilities can be included in all environments.”

From Olympics to Paralympics

Alexandre, who lost her right arm as a baby due to a blood clot, has played table tennis for over 20 years. “Table tennis is my life,” she said. “I started when I was about seven years old, and I’ve dedicated my life to the sport.”

She is now competing in her fourth Paralympics and has won five Paralympic medals. Preparing for the Olympics and Paralympics required different approaches. “Playing in the Olympics meant facing athletes with no balance issues, so I had to adjust my playing style,” Alexandre explained. “Now, I’m working on shifting back to my Paralympic style.”

Challenges and Experiences

Despite the challenges, Alexandre didn’t see it as a disadvantage when she competed at the Paris 2024 Olympics. “The competition was tough, especially against strong teams from Asia like China, Japan, and Korea,” she said. “It’s a good challenge because it helps me improve my skills for the Paralympics.”

Brazil was eliminated in the first round of the Olympic women’s team event by South Korea. Alexandre reflected positively on the experience: “Even though we didn’t have a big chance, it was a great experience. The French fans were wonderful, supporting us and cheering for me.”

Looking Ahead

Alexandre is now focusing on the Paralympic Games, where she is competing in three events: women’s singles WS10, women’s doubles WD20, and mixed doubles XD17. She won a bronze medal in women’s doubles with Danielle Rauen on August 31.

“I’m proud to be one of the few to compete at both Games. It’s been a long-time dream,” she said. “I hope to inspire other athletes to aim high and compete at different levels.”

A Dream for Para Sport

Beyond her own achievements, Alexandre has a bigger dream: she wants Para sports to become as popular as football in Brazil. “Para sports are gaining more attention, but we’re not at the level of football yet,” she said. “I believe that one day, Paralympics in Brazil will be as big as football. People will enjoy watching and realize that everything is possible.”