August 28, 2024
Behind Every Paralympian Is a Teammate You Might Not See
In the Paralympics, victory isn't always a solo performance. Athletes with visual, mobility, or neurological impairments often compete alongside a guide, pilot, or tapper—highly trained teammates who ensure competition is safe, fair, and fast.
In this powerful SELF.com feature, Lex Gillette, a five-time Paralympic silver medalist in the long jump, offers a behind-the-scenes look at how essential these roles are in adaptive sports.
What You’ll Learn in the Article
- What These Roles Do – From sprinting guides to swimming tappers
- Why Trust Is Non-Negotiable – Lex shares how voice cues fuel performance
- How Teams Train Together – Hours of practice, precision, and communication
- Why Recognition Matters – Advocacy for fair compensation and visibility
Each role is customized to the sport—but they all share a common goal: helping athletes compete at their best.
“When you can’t see, you’re reliant on your guide to help you understand what you need to do with your body,” Lex explains in the article.
Paralympic Performance Is a Team Effort
Guides, pilots, and tappers aren't behind the scenes—they're right alongside the athlete, matching stride for stride. Lex’s guide helps him launch toward greatness, not just through physical proximity, but through years of built trust, communication, and shared purpose.
Read the full article on SELF.com
Want to connect with Lex for speaking engagements or media? Reach out to Lex.
