Paralympian reportedly mulls euthanasia following Rio Games

“After my physical problems I never thought I’d get here, Rio is my last wish”, she told European media.

A gold-medal-winning Paralympian says she is considering euthanasia after competing in the 2016 Rio Games, which started Wednesday with the opening ceremonies.

The Belgian wheelchair sprinter suffers from an incurable and painful degenerative disease and plans to retire as an athlete after the tournament, which runs from 7 – 15 September.

Back in July, Vervoort told the sports section of De Redactie that only after she completes her bucket list (which includes “stunt flying”), she will “gradually … think of my euthanasia”. “Every day it hurts, some nights I do not sleep and after ten minutes” sleep I have to train.

‘Fortunately I had a better night even though I had a moment of crisis for about 45 minutes.

“When I sit in my racing chair, everything disappears”, she said.

Euthanasia is legal in Belgium providing the applicant has the consent of three doctors.

‘There is a chance to medal, but it will be very hard because the competition is very strong. After that, we’ll see what life brings and I’ll try to make the best of it.

At the 2012 London Paralympic Games she won the silver medal in the T52 200m wheelchair race, setting a European record.

Vervoort, right, won gold in both the 100-metre and 200-metre T52 sprints at the 2015 World Championships in Doha.

Vervoort isn’t certain yet if that’s her path, but she does seem to have a pretty specific image of what it might look like. Before she knew it, she was already competing in the 2007 Hawaii Ironman.

On her website, the athlete writes regular diary updates for her fan, many of which had focused on her health.

By 2008, Vervoot’s condition deteriorated and had to stop taking part in triathlon so she moved on to wheelchair sprinting.

According to The Advertiser, she is considering euthanizing herself after the event. She begins her 100m title defence next Friday morning.

“I expel all the dark thoughts”.