Feature: Just being alive is a gift

by sports journalists Hu Jiali and Liu Yangtao

PARIS, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) — Five-time Paralympian Loida Zabala Ollero lifted 75 kg in her final attempt in the women’s under-50 kg event on Thursday, nearly 50 kg less than eventual champion Clara Sarahy Fuentes Monasterio of Venezuela.

The Porte de La Chapelle arena erupted in applause as Zabala finished her match. Her red cheeks were accompanied by a radiant smile and tears welled up in her eyes. It was clear that she had earned more than the respect of the crowd – she had won a personal victory far more important than any medal.

At 37, Zabala is one of Spain’s most respected athletes, but this competition held special significance. Diagnosed with lung cancer in November 2023, she not only had to take on the challenge of powerlifting, but also fight for her life.

A JOURNEY OF RESILIENCE

Zabala’s life took a drastic turn at the age of 11, when she was diagnosed with transverse myelitis, which left her paralyzed from the waist down. Instead of succumbing to her illness, she discovered powerlifting and became the first Spanish woman to compete at the Paralympic Games in 2008, finishing seventh in the women’s up to 48kg event.

Her career blossomed when she competed at three more Paralympic Games, achieving her best results with fifth-place finishes at London 2012 and Rio 2016. In September 2022, she reached another milestone by winning gold at the European Open Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia.

“We are now starting the Paris 2024 Paralympic cycle and I would definitely be delighted to win the gold medal there,” she said two years ago, full of hope and ambition. But life, as is often the case, decided otherwise.

THE BATTLE OF HIS LIFE

On October 28, 2023, while working as a teleoperator, Zabala felt a strange numbness in her left arm and temporarily lost the ability to speak—a moment that led to devastating news. Doctors diagnosed her with lung cancer.

“It was a shock. It’s hard to describe in words, but I feel full of energy to take on this new challenge in life,” Zabala said on her website. “When you’re told you have cancer, you realize how precious time is. Every moment becomes super special.”

Even though she was undergoing treatment, Zabala never gave up on her Paralympic dreams. In March this year, she was back competing internationally, while continuing her treatment. At a national para-weightlifting competition, she even broke the national record in her category by lifting 76 kg.

“I was finally able to compete in Paris,” Zabala said through tears after Thursday’s match. “For me, getting here was very complicated. At first, the cancer even prevented me from losing the weight I needed to compete, but in the end, we made it and I am so grateful for this gift of life.”

MORE THAN AN ATHLETE

Zabala’s courage and perseverance have made her a symbol of resilience and hope for many. She runs a foundation dedicated to empowering wheelchair users and supporting athletes by providing them with better training resources.

In addition to being an athlete, she is also an actress and speaker, using her platform to connect with people on an emotional level. She enjoys sharing her daily life, workout routines, and life experiences with the world, hoping that her optimism will inspire others, especially women.

Her life was chronicled in a Spanish documentary called “Fuerza” (“Force” in English). “Making this documentary was a turning point in my life,” she said. “The main message I want to convey with this film is that there are no limits to achieving goals, whether you can walk or not.”

Her varied career choices reflect her deep desire to experience different facets of life. “As an athlete, I have to be strong and courageous. But as an actress, I can explore other emotions – sadness, anger, vulnerability – feelings I don’t usually experience. It makes me feel more human,” she once said.

THE POWER OF POSITIVITY

Zabala’s philosophy of life is simple but profound: “It often happens that you receive news you didn’t expect, as was the case with my lung cancer diagnosis. But life always has unexpected gifts to offer. That’s why you have to live each day to the fullest.”

For Zabala, sports have always been more than just a competition. They have been her refuge, her motivation and now a vital tool in her fight against cancer. “The goal of competing in Paris helped me take my mind off of cancer,” she said, explaining how setting this ambitious goal has given her strength during her treatment.

Zabala’s ultimate victory lies not in medals, but in her spirit of perseverance and the inspiring message she shares with the world. “Sometimes we stop fighting for our goals because we think they are impossible to achieve. But if you are very passionate about something, if you work hard and love the work, you will definitely achieve it,” she said.

His journey reminds us that simply being alive is, in itself, a precious gift.