23 Facts About Gustavo Nieves

Gustavo Nieves first raced competitively in 1998 Vigo half marathon.

Gustavo Nieves went on to compete at IPC European and World Championships.

Gustavo Nieves competed at the 2000,2008,2012 and 2016 Summer Paralympics, but did not medal in any of these Games.

Gustavo Nieves's father remained in Germany and was still there as of 2009, but Gustavo Nieves returned to Spain when he was five years old.

Gustavo Nieves lost his vision when he was 17 years old.

Gustavo Nieves has a functional proficiency in English, and is able to argue with people in the language at athletic events.

Gustavo Nieves was a member of the Celta Vigo athletics club, then joined the Gymnastic Society of Pontevedra athletic club.

Gustavo Nieves competed in the 2000 Summer Paralympics in Sydney, Australia where he finished sixth in the 10,000 meter race.

Gustavo Nieves focused on his educational work in 2004 and did not compete 2004 Summer Paralympics.

Gustavo Nieves was trying to get the credentials that would enable him to get a job as athletics did not provide enough money for him to live off the sport.

Gustavo Nieves competed at the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing, China.

Gustavo Nieves based his 2009 training in Pontevedra and Lugo, where he continued to be coached by Pablo Diaz.

Gustavo Nieves competed in the 2009 Spanish national athletics championships.

In 2010, Gustavo Nieves set a world record in the T12 10,000 meter race and then bettered his own world record 40 days later at a race in Jerez de la Frontera.

Gustavo Nieves started competing again after the injury-imposed break in late September 2011 at a race in Berlin.

In March 2012, Gustavo Nieves was training up to four hours a day at the Galician Sports Modernization Center.

Gustavo Nieves finished first in the 2012 San Silvestre Candelaria 4,500 meter race.

Gustavo Nieves competed at the 2012 Spanish national Paralympic athletic championships where he came in first in the 5,000 meters.

Gustavo Nieves opted to not compete in the 2012 European Championships as a result.

Gustavo Nieves raced at the 2012 Summer Paralympics, finishing fourth in the 5,000 meters.

Gustavo Nieves's time was 4 seconds slower than his personal best.

Gustavo Nieves competed in the 2013 San Silvestre Candelaria 4,500 meter race.

Gustavo Nieves has a goal of trying to qualify for and compete in the 2016 Summer Paralympics.