Juan Pablo dos Santos, a 26-year-old Venezuelan, was the last to cross the finish line of this year’s New York Marathon, becoming a symbol of overcoming. Amputee of both legs since 2019, after a serious car accident, the young man completed the 42 kilometers in 15 hours, arriving shortly after midnight.
During the journey, he had to stop every 100 steps to remove the prostheses and dry the coverings, avoiding painful wounds. “It was a mental struggle, in which the pain was always present and only increased,” he told ABC.
Despite his suffering, Juan Pablo did not give up and was greeted with applause and emotion at the finish line, an inspiring example of strength and determination.
Venezuelan athlete Juan Pablo Dos Santos, who has prosthetic legs, crossed the New York City Marathon finish line, carrying his country’s flag as supporters erupted in cheers.
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