Irek Zaripov

Listening to techno music, playing guitar, cars, athletics, table tennis, swimming. (neinvalid.ru, 23 Sep 2010; sovsport.ru, 15 Apr 2010)

His parents. (Ufa1.ru, 13 Nov 2010)

Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, US swimmer Michael Phelps. (sport-express.ru, 22 Mar 2010)

"I feel like an adequate person. I have everything needed for happiness - a home, a family and a sport that returned me to life." (novayagazeta.ru, 23 Dec 2013)

In 2012 he was nominated in the category of World Sportsman of the Year with a Disability in the Laureus Sports Awards. Para-athlete Oscar Pistorius ultimately won. (laureus.com, 10 Feb 2014)

He holds the national sports title of Honoured Master of Sport in Russia. (bestpeopleofrussia.ru, 23 Oct 2012)

He was decorated with the Order of Merit for the Fatherland in 2010. (rezeptsport.ru, 22 Mar 2011)

For his performances at the 2006 Paralympic Winter Games in Turin he was awarded the Certificate of Honour of the Republic of Bashkortostan. (bestpeopleofrussia.ru, 23 Oct 2012)

He also competes in para-biathlon. (bestpeopleofrussia.ru, 10 Feb 2014)

To compete at the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi. (timetolive.ru, 26 Dec 2012; neinvalid.ru, 23 Sep 2010)

At age 17 he had both legs amputated after his motorcycle was involved in an accident with a truck. (lifesports.ru, 24 Mar 2010; bestpeopleofrussia..ru, 23 Oct 2012)

RETIREMENT AFTER SOCHI 2014
After he has competed at the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, he aims to retire from competitive sport. "I hope my farewell with the sport will be positive, then I plan to start a political career." (rbth.co.uk, 17 Dec 2013)

POLITICIAN
He is a deputy of the State Assembly of Bashkortostan, Russia. (rbth.co.uk, 17 Dec 2013)

DOCUMENTARY
He was the subject of a documentary film called 'Born Again' directed by Vilyur Isyandavletov, which was shown at the Kazan Muslim Film Festival in Russia in 2012. (timetolive.ru, 26 Dec 2012)