Nicky Nieves inspires next generation of para athletes
NEW YORK (BVM) — When Nicky Nieves first got on the court for Queens College, it was a sense of accomplishment.聽
She had proven her doubters wrong and her supporters right. Little did she know, this was just the beginning of her opening up the door for the next generation.
Nieves was born without her left hand, but that did not stop her from getting to the collegiate level of volleyball.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 see anybody that looked like me,鈥� Nieves said. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 see anyone that was limb-different or a para athlete. That didn鈥檛 exist in my world.鈥�
In Nieves鈥� experience, despite winning the conference player of the year as a senior in high school, there was always a sense of empathy towards her. Whether it was from the opposing team, coaches or parents, she was treated differently from the rest.
Her arrival in the Knights鈥� volleyball program was her way of saying that she belonged.
鈥淲hen I finally got to that stage, it was kind of like I shut everybody up,鈥� Nieves said. 鈥淵es, I am talented. I鈥檓 not a charity case. I鈥檓 as good as my peers. I can perform.鈥�
Now 15 years later, she is in the midst of a terrific paralympic career.
The United States Sitting National Team reached out while Nieves was still at Queens College and at first, there was some hesitation. But she gave it a chance, and ultimately came to the realization that it was something she did not want to pass up.聽
鈥淚 just saw so much more opportunity for me on the paralympic side than I did on the able-bodied side,鈥� Nieves said. 鈥淥pportunities not just athletically, but life wise. Now I had a community of individuals that understood my struggle.鈥�
Being a part of the team also allowed Nieves to travel the world, meeting others with similar experiences and competing with and against them at the biggest stage.
In 2016, she helped lead the United States to a gold medal at the Paralympic games in Rio, a moment of fruition for Nieves.
鈥淣othing that I did was in vain,鈥� Nieves said. 鈥淎ll the sacrifice I put in, all the sacrifice my family put in, the tears, the time away from family and just the hard work. None of that was in vain because I got what the goal was in the end.鈥�
Unfortunately, she missed the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo due to a positive COVID-19 test, and now awaits the 2024 games in Paris.
Coming up on Day 1 of : meets Paralympic gold medalist Nicky Nieves, who is teaching lessons on and off the volleyball court.
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But in the meantime outside of all of her training, she still finds the time for her nonprofit, .
The organization gives the opportunity for people to play volleyball despite financial or physical setbacks. Nieves remembers everyone who helped her along the way and wants to give back in any way she can.
Gold medalist Nicky Nieves gives some pointers to our sitting volleyball tournament participants.
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鈥淚f I have the ability to help someone make it a little further in their journey, then I feel like I should do it,鈥� Nieves said. 鈥淵ou never know who you鈥檙e talking to or who you鈥檙e helping. I literally could be helping the next Olympian or P补谤补濒测尘辫颈补苍.鈥�
While Nieves helps directly, anyone can help. All it takes is tuning into an event and showing your support.
鈥淏ig corporations and big companies understand everything by numbers and dollars,鈥� Nieves said. 鈥淚f they see people supporting, they know that it’s worth it. Then they鈥檒l be more willing to support us as well.鈥�
While the money aspect will help the paralympic movement continue to grow, words of encouragement can be just as helpful. Nieves鈥� ultimate message for the next wave is to never give up.
鈥淒on鈥檛 ever stop trying. When there鈥檚 a will, there鈥檚 a way,鈥� Nieves said. 鈥淓verybody has some type of adaptation as crazy as that sounds. Sometimes we see it, sometimes we don鈥檛. It doesn鈥檛 matter what anyone says, just keep going towards your dream. You want to feel like you did everything you could to make that dream a possibility because the worst feeling is looking back and having the feeling of regret.鈥�
