Odair Santos

Odair Santos (born 17 May 1981) is a visually impaired Paralympian athlete from Brazil competing mainly in T11 classification middle and long-distance events. A veteran of four Paralympics, Santos has won eight Paralympic medals, including four silver medals.[1] Santos is also a four time IPC World champion at the 1,500 metres event, being unbeaten from 2006 to 2015.

Odair Santos
Odair and Carlos Santos run 5000 m at the 2016 Paralympics
Personal information
Nickname(s)Dinho, Doca
NationalityBrazilian
Born (1981-05-17) 17 May 1981
Limeira, Brazil
Height181 cm (71 in)
Sport
Country Brazil
SportAthletics
Disabilityvisual impairment
Disability classT11
Event(s)middle distance events
ClubCentro de Treinamento Limeira Paralímpico
Coached byAmaury Verissimo (national)
Fabio Breda (personal)
Achievements and titles
Paralympic finals2004 Athens
2008 Beijing
2012 London
2012 Rio
Medal record
Men's para athletics
Representing  Brazil
Paralympic Games
2004 Athens 5000m – T12
2004 Athens 1500m – T13
2012 London 1500m – T11
2016 Rio 5000m – T11
2004 Athens 800m – T12
2008 Beijing 800m – T12
2008 Beijing 5000m – T13
2008 Beijing 10000m – T12
World Championships
2006 Assen1500m – T12
2011 Christchurch1500m – T11
2011 Christchurch5000m – T11
2013 Lyon800m – T11
2013 Lyon1500m – T11
2013 Lyon5000m – T11
2015 Doha1500m – T11
2006 Assen800m – T12
2006 Assen4 x 100m relay – T11-13

Athletics career

Santos first represented Brazil at a Paralympic Games when he competed in the 2004 Summer Paralympics in Athens, Greece. There he won a silver medal in the men's 5000 metres – T12 event, a silver medal in the men's 1500 metres – T13 event, a bronze medal in the men's 800 metres – T12 event and finished fourth in the men's 4 x 100 metre relay – T11-13 event. He also competed at the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing, China. There he won a bronze medal in the men's 800 metres – T12 event, a bronze medal in the men's 5000 metres – T13 event and a bronze medal in the men's 10000 metres – T12 event. At the 2012 Summer Paralympics he won silver in the Men's 1500 metres – T11 event.

In the buildup to the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio, Santos attended the 2015 IPC Athletics World Championships in Doha. There he took gold in the 1500m – T11, but the events of the 5000m – T11 final saw Santos dramatically lose a commanding lead on the last lap. In the closing stages of the race with Santos clear of the rest of the field he fell to the floor with exhaustion, on returning to his feet he was overtaken by Chile's Cristian Valenzuela. Despite the support of his guide, Santos collapsed a second time, and was passed by Jason Dunkerley of Canada. Santos rose again only to collapse meters from the line to lose the bronze medal place to Japan's Shinya Wada.[2]

He holds the 800 m world record for T11 (totally blind) athletes.[3]

References
  1. "Santos, Odair". Paralympic.org. Archived from the original on 15 September 2016. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
  2. Pavitt, Michael (26 October 2015). "Heartbreak for Brazilian after dramatic finish at IPC Athletics World Championships". insidethegames.biz. Archived from the original on 16 September 2016. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
  3. "IPC Athletics Records". International Paralympic Committee. Archived from the original on 2013-01-18. Retrieved 2013-01-20.
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