Camila Romero

Colombian amputee athlete breaking barriers in adaptive sports and disability rights

Camila Romero is a transformative figure in adaptive sports and disability rights whose achievements redefine athletic potential. Losing both legs in a 2018 accident, this former dancer turned Paralympic athlete won gold in wheelchair tennis at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, becoming Colombia's youngest medalist at age 19. Her 2022 world record in the 100m wheelchair sprint (14.3 seconds) shattered perceptions of disability limits.

As a disability rights advocate, Romero co-founded ADAPTAR in 2021, a nonprofit providing adaptive sports equipment to 15,000+ Latin American youth with disabilities. Her Run Free Campaign secured $2 million in government funding for accessible sports facilities across Colombia. Her 2023 documentary Beyond Limits on Netflix highlighted systemic barriers faced by disabled athletes globally.

Romero's influence extends to policy: her testimony led to Colombia's 2024 Law 2055 mandating sports facilities accessibility. She also created the Inclusive Playgrounds initiative, building 50 accessible parks by 2025. Her Forbes 30 Under 30 recognition (2023) and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador role (2024) amplify her message of empowerment. Romero's viral social media challenges, like #MoveWithoutLimits, have engaged 50 million participants worldwide, transforming global perceptions of disability.