The Paralympics kicked off in Paris in recent days, with a number of Irish athletes hoping to bring home medals from the games in France over the next ten days or so.
A number of Irish athletes have already taken part in their respective events, and while we are still waiting for our first podium, it will be expected that Team Ireland will rack up the medals over the remainder of the games.
Some big names are currently in Paris to take in Paralympics, including one particular German football manager. Currently in the midst of his hiatus from the sport after his exit from Liverpool earlier this year, Jurgen Klopp would pose for a picture with a vice president of Paralympics Ireland Lisa Clancy last night.
Found a new @paralympicsireland supporter #jurgenklopp pic.twitter.com/U7GuJxPFMh
— Lisa Clancy #TeamIreland 🇮🇪 (@clancylisa) August 29, 2024
The Irishwoman ran into Klopp at the badminton venue in Paris, where he was present to watch a close friend take part in the games.
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Jurgen Klopp Bumped Into Irish Fans At Paralympics
Wojtek Czyz is an incredibly successful Paralympian, having won four gold, a silver, and two bronze medals from 2004-2012 in a various track and field events for Germany.
He has since moved to New Zealand, and while many athletes would be content with their previous successes, Czyz used the opportunity to take up a new sport. He would represent New Zealand in badminton at this year's Paralympics, with Klopp making his way to France to take in his match yesterday.
Now 44-years old, Wojtek Czyz was an aspiring 21-year old footballer at Fortuna Koln when he suffered an injury that would eventually see his leg amputated. He has been close friends with the former Liverpool boss for a number of years.
This tweet has gone wild …. At the end of the day we are all just big @Paralympics fans in regular seats… We are here supporting our amazing 35 @ParalympicsIRE athletes and #Jurgenkloop supporting his friend #WojtekCzyz.. And yes @Paralympics can change the world!! #sportfamily https://t.co/us9arKMyVm
— Lisa Clancy #TeamIreland 🇮🇪 (@clancylisa) August 30, 2024
While Czyz was comfortably beaten by Great Britain's Daniel Bethell in last night's match, Jurgen Klopp would sum up his admiration for his as a person afterwards.
He’s too crazy. We are completely different. He’s constantly doing things I’m not brave enough to do.
He told me only yesterday how easy it is to dive with sharks and I said: ‘Yeah, I heard it now, I still don’t do it.’
How was it to watch him? Great, I enjoyed all five points. He’s 44, by the way. I stood next to Elena [Brambilla-Czyz], his incredible wife, and we had tears in our eyes.
I know sport is always about the result and winning, but there’s much more behind that story and being here is always so touching that I couldn’t get my head around it.
Czyz only took up badminton three years ago at the age of 41, with his participation in this year's Paralympics hinting at just how determined of a character he is.
You can see why the likes of Jurgen Klopp admire him.
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