Winter Olympics: Paralympian Aline Rocha's journey to making Brazilian history

Every year the Summer and Winter Olympics roll around, incredible stories are brought into the spotlight.

Milestones are set, records are broken, and the inspiring journeys of devoted athletes send tears around the world.

Aline Roche, a Brazilian Winter Olympian, recently shared her story on the social media impact podcast Flame Bearers.

The podcast is supported by a Harvard Innovation Law and HKS Women in Public Policy Programme, and it has just launched its second season.

Hosted by Harvard graduate Jamie Mittelman, the drive of the podcast aims to inspire all athletes with the raw, touching stories of current athletes and put these trailblazing women in the limelight.

Roche, who will compete in Beijing in March, has given insight into her journey to becoming a Paralympic athlete after her life changed forever when she lost the use of her legs.

“When I was a kid, I hated sports. In school, I never made it in sports.”

Rocha admitted it was only until after her accident — a car crash that left her paralysed at 15 — that she found her love for sport. 

“I could move my arms perfectly, but the problem was with my legs,” she explained. 

After being left paraplegic from the accident, a young Rocha’s life was completely turned upside down. But four years later, she discovered a passion for sport, one she never thought she would hold.

During her first competitive event in Brazil in 2010, she was faced with more than 3,000 other athletes — it was at this moment that the penny dropped for her.

“The first time I saw those 3,000 athletes competing happily, I said, ‘okay, I want this happiness for myself too.'”

She later met her husband, who is also her coach, and has been with her from the start of her inspiring journey to the