# @paralympics on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CZuAVg3NG_Y
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/17097371-paralympics-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/25aa6f6ffb.jpg
- **Posted:** 2022-02-08T13:58:19.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Paralympic Games (@Paralympics) — https://gondola.cc/Paralympics

## Caption

Meet Tofiri Kibuuka, the first African Winter Paralympian. 

Kibuuka made history at the Ornskoldsvik 1976 Paralympic Winter Games representing Uganda in #ParaCrossCountry skiing. He finished 10th in the 15km and 16th in the 10km. 

Kibuuka lost his sight aged 13 and took part in an Outward Bound course, experiencing wilderness expeditions in Kenya, becoming one of the first blind people ever to climb Mount Kilamanjaro. He was then invited to attend a sport international youth camp in Norway. During that camp, he tried skiing. “At first I was trying not to fall. Norwegians are born with skis on their legs but it was tough for me”. 

“I am really proud to have become the first African winter Para athlete. I was not a good skier, but I was brave.” 

Kibuuka also competed for Uganda in cross country skiing at the Geilo 1980 Games, before switching to sprinting in Para Athletics.

He acquired Norwegian citizenship and represented Norway over five Paralympic Summer Games on the track between 1984 and 2000. He was named Norway’s flag bearer at Atlanta 1996. He graduated as a physiotherapist in Norway where he lives with his wife and two children.

“It was such an honour to carry the Norwegian flag and become the first Black man to do so. 

“I am married to a Norwegian woman, have two wonderful children and get recognition in Norway. Of course, my roots are in Uganda, and will always be there”. 

#Paralympics #BlackHistoryMonth #WinterParalympics #ParalympicWinterGames parasnowsports #ParaSnowSports

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 1,615
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- **Comments:** 8

## Tags

parasnowsports, paralympicwintergames, winterparalympics, paralympics, blackhistorymonth, paracrosscountry

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- @paralympics on Instagram — https://gondola.cc/posts/17096732-paralympics-instagram

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