Brazilian Para swimmer Daniel Dias: "Disability does not define who we are, what defines each of us is within"
The multiple Paralympic gold medallist is inspired by his family to achieve even more success at Tokyo 2020, and wants his legacy to be breaking down the barrier of prejudice.
Swimming
Daniel Dias is Brazil's most decorated Paralympian, and Tokyo 2020 is set to be his last Games.
The multiple Paralympic gold medallist announced back in January 2021 that he plans to retire after the Games in Japan.
And for Dias, there is no greater feeling than being able to represent Brazil on a global stage.
"This here is an enormous pride to represent the nation by representing its people, to represent people with disabilities," he told Olympics.com.
"So that for me is an immense pride of being able to be here in another games and being able to represent the entire Brazilian people."
Even though he is set to hang up his swimming cap after Tokyo 2020, the legacy he leaves behind will be infinite.
The legacy Dias will leave
In the wake of his rich success, Dias hopes that people will 'really start to look' at Paralympic sport.
The 33-year-old wants to leave a legacy that helps others view those with disabilities from within, rather than judging them from the outside.
"When I introduce myself, I am a Paralympic athlete, I have a congenital background but that's a characteristic, never a definition.
"What defines each of us is what is within us and within us there is a very great force capable of fulfilling big dreams, great goals," - Daniel Dias.
"And that for me is what I would like to leave as a legacy that people understand that yes, we are different, but we are equal at the same time in capacity and that, for me, it would be very amazing for us to break this barrier of prejudice."
"It really is a great legacy that I would like to leave."
How swimming changed Daniel Dias' life
Some might say that Dias has changed the sport of swimming with his success.
But he, humbly, sees the truth as something different.
"The sport has transformed my life," he revealed to Olympics.com.
"I see that it doesn't just change my life, it transforms the lives of those who practise professionally and everyone who starts in the sport and one day dreams and wants to be an athlete."
Not only can athletes win medals, but Dias believes that sport can help educate competitors and spectators alike.
"It has transformed my life from understanding [more] every day that disability does not define who we are, and what defines each of us is what within us," he continued.
Dias believes swimming is a 'very great force', leaving it's mark on those who compete in or watch it.
Inspired by his family
As well as having the honour of representing his country, Dias finds himself continuously inspired by his family.
"My family is my greatest inspiration - I look at them, my parents or wife and children, and [they] inspire me to continue following to really believe in me and that makes a total difference in my life.
"Such a family is the basis of everything.
"I believe a lot in the family and [it] is undoubtedly my greatest inspiration," Dias told Olympics.com.
And the father of three believes becoming a dad has helped him to become more mature.
"Being a father has changed me.
"It's made me much more mature, because of the responsibilities - it's a great honour and blessing," said Dias.
With the support of his family, the Brazilian is more inspired than ever before for success in Tokyo.
But whether he adds more medals to his tally or not, his impact on Para swimming will be just as important when he retires after these Games.