Julieta Olmedo: Mormon Athlete

Julieta Olmedo is a women’s wheelchair basketball guard and competed in the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games with her team. Her team was ninth overall.

She was born on September 19, 1989, and enjoys all sports. While going outside and getting on her bicycle in 2008, she was hit with a bullet and became paralyzed. From that day on, she forgave the person who fired the weapon and just moved forward. She credits her knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ and her membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for helping her find new goals and discover God’s plan for her life.

While on the streets of her city, a woman approached her and invited her to a basketball practice; she trained that day. She has been part of the national team since 2014.