A Life-Changing Moment
On September 8, 2007, David Behre’s life took a drastic turn. The 20-year-old cyclist from Moers, Germany, approached a railway crossing, unaware that his world was about to be shattered. The barriers that should have been down were inexplicably open. As Behre crossed the tracks, a train emerged, striking him with devastating force.
“I was probably hanging onto the train, being dragged along,” Behre recounts with remarkable composure. “After 100 meters, my right leg was severed, and 20 meters further, my left… That’s how I lost my lower legs.” This horrific accident could have marked the end of Behre’s athletic aspirations. Instead, it became the catalyst for an extraordinary journey of resilience and determination.
David Behre: A New Beginning in Para-Athletics
Just five days after the accident, while still in the hospital, Behre watched a television report about Oscar Pistorius, the South African double amputee sprinter. The segment discussed whether Pistorius would be allowed to compete in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Seeing Pistorius outpace non-disabled runners on his prosthetic blades ignited a spark in Behre.
“From that moment on, I said: ‘Oh! Look, such a thing exists! I want that too!’ So it was already clear from that moment that I would become a track and field athlete,” Behre recalls. This pivotal moment set Behre on a path to become a sprinter himself, embracing the nickname “Blade Runner” just like his newfound idol, Pistorius.
Rising to Paralympic Glory
Behre’s transition to para-athletics was nothing short of remarkable. Within two years of his accident, he was competing at an international level. At the 2009 IWAS World Championships in Bangalore, India, Behre claimed silver in the 200-meter sprint and gold in the 4×100-meter relay.
His ascent in the sport continued, culminating in his Paralympic debut at the 2012 London Games, where he won bronze as part of Germany’s 4×100-meter relay team. But it was at the 2016 Rio Paralympics where Behre truly shone, securing three medals: bronze in the 200 meters, silver in the 400 meters, and gold in the 4×100-meter relay.
Beyond the Track: Inspiring Others
David Behre’s impact extends far beyond his athletic achievements. He has become a passionate advocate for the inclusion of people with disabilities and works as a motivational speaker, supporting individuals who have lost limbs due to accidents.
In 2013, Behre published his biography, “Sprint Back to Life,” sharing his experiences and insights. His second book, “Inner Strength: Today Your Sprint into Life Begins,” released in 2020, delves deeper into his journey to success, including the challenges he faced along the way. David Behre’s story is a powerful testament to the human spirit’s capacity to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. From the tragedy of losing both his lower legs to becoming a Paralympic champion, Behre embodies the transformative power of sport and the indomitable will to succeed.
His journey reminds us that while we cannot always control the circumstances that befall us, we have the power to choose how we respond to them. In Behre’s case, a devastating accident became the starting block for an extraordinary athletic career and a platform to inspire and empower others facing their own challenges.
Photo by APT Prothesen https://www.apt-prothesen.de/erfahrungsberichte/david-behre/
