An interview with Amy Goldberg

We are in the presence of an incredible athlete, trailblazer, and all-around powerhouse; Marissa Papaconstantinou, Paps for short. From playing soccer and basketball as a kid to becoming a record-breaking sprinter, she’s proof that determination, passion, and resilience can take you anywhere. You see, Marissa was born without a right foot, and clearly that never stopped her from chasing her dreams.

Marissa’s journey has been filled with highs and lows; from heartbreak at the 2017 World Championships to standing on the Paralympic podium in Tokyo with a bronze medal. Along the way, she’s broken records, redefined limits, and inspired countless people.

Beyond the track, Marissa is a sports media grad, an aspiring sports broadcaster, and a sought-after speaker, using her platform to motivate and uplift others. It’s time to hear about what fuels her fire and learn from her incredible mindset.

You’ve been an athlete your whole life, but what was it about sprinting that truly captured your heart?

I often describe the feeling of getting my first running blade at age 12 like “having two feet for the first time”. Even though I was doing all these sports like soccer, basketball, and gymnastics with my everyday prosthetic, the blade truly opened a world of mobility and opportunity I hadn’t had before. I joined my first track club (and broke a Canadian record) about a year later and haven’t looked back since. The feeling of running fast and having to push myself to the limit every day is why I love sprinting. It’s unforgiving, you can’t cheat the work, so when you shave those little tenths of second of a time, it is so rewarding!

You had your first taste of international competition at just 16. What was that experience like, and how did it shape your career?

To be honest it was all a little overwhelming, but so so helpful as my career has progressed. I made my first World Championships team in 2015, so I had gotten a taste of high-level competition on the international stage, but nothing really prepares you for the circus of a Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro. My high school had this big send off for me, it was a long flight, and I was like any 16-year-old girl, there was a lot going on! I ran to a personal best in the 100m but in the 200m, I was disqualified for stepping out of my lane. The experiences both on and off the track from my first Paralympics helped me understand what it takes to prepare and execute at future championships.

The moment at the 2017 World Championships, where you tore your hamstring but still finished the race, was both heartbreaking and inspiring. What was going through your mind at that moment?

Ow!! Physically, probably the most painful injury in my career. It was a 3cm tear in my hamstring that took about 5 months to rehab from. To set the scene, over 30,000 fans were cheering in the pouring rain at London Stadium (classic UK weather). I was in medal position coming off the 200m bend, and then my hamstring just went pop. I fell to the track, crying and screaming in pain. Despite that, at that moment I just thought to myself that I had never not finished a race, so it was kind of instinct that I got up and limped across the line. Now looking back on it, I draw a lot of inspiration from it – to never give up and persevere even if things are stacked against you.

Tokyo 2020 was such a huge moment for you, breaking records and winning bronze. What did that medal mean to you after everything you’d been through?

I don’t know if I want to say that it was the culmination of all my hard work (because I think I have a lot more to give) but it was definitely incredibly special for so many reasons… overcoming the difficult years leading up to it…my first global medal…having to fight all the way through the line to win the medal…Because those Paralympics took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, there were no fans in the stands, so it was moment that didn’t really hit me until I got back home to Canada and got to hug and see the smiles of my family and friends – those are the people that I do it for and who continue to support my career.

You’re a role model for so many young athletes, especially those in the para sport community. What message do you hope they take from your journey?

To never let circumstance dictate what they are capable of. It’s the focus for how I carry myself and for the charitable work I do through Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and Right To Play. Through sport and activity, I hope that the next generation can find that they can do anything the set their minds to, because that’s what it unlocked for me. My parents put me in all sorts of sports from a young age because of all the skills you learn from it like teamwork and self-confidence, and it’s carried forth to the opportunities I have today.

What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a para-athlete, and how have you worked through it?

I don’t know if there’s one that stands out, but I mean there are so many different battles you face as an athlete – mental struggles & injuries, track is an amateur sport so sometimes the financial aspect comes into play. In all those cases, I turn to those around me. Even though track is also an individual sport, it really doesn’t feel that way given how much I lean on my support system to get through challenges. Having a crew of people that genuinely care for you beyond success & failures has been essential through my career.

You’ve worked with big brands, most recently signing with On as an athlete ambassador. What did that milestone mean to you, and how do you hope it paves the way for future athletes?

It’s a privilege to join and work with a growing brand like On. They take a holistic approach to supporting me as an athlete and I’m really excited about some projects we’ve been discussing! My sponsors have allowed me to focus on my craft and perform on the world stage so I’m super grateful for them. I hope more companies see the campaigns that I’m doing and become motivated to explore the unique stories of para-athletes and how they can leverage that in brand stories.

Mental toughness is such a huge part of being an elite athlete. How do you handle setbacks, self-doubt, and pressure?

The mental game has become a real strength to my performance as an athlete, something that has come a long way since my international debut at 16. Especially since I contest an individual sport, it’s easy to fall into a rut of doubt after a couple bad races, so it’s important that I have a couple of ways to combat that:

• I work with an amazing sports psych, Penny Werthner, during and between competitions. Talks with her help me manage these ebbs and flows.
• I use breath work. When I’m waiting to be called into the blocks for example, you’ll often see me taking a deep breath in for 4 seconds, holding for 2, and then exhaling for 6, too calm nerves and centre myself before a race.
• There are mantras and simple themes I remind myself of in tough times. One of them is “riding the wave”, a saying I used a lot during a difficult Tokyo Paralympic year. It was a cue to stay even keeled at every moment and helped me to capture that medal.

If you could give one piece of advice to women, whether they’re athletes or just chasing their dreams, what would it be?

I’d say, “Be You”. I feel like women are so used to having to conform to a certain norm or act a certain way just to tread water, let alone to “get ahead”. A little belief in each of our own unique strengths can go a long way towards showing the world what we are capable of – and this helps change the narrative.

Marissa, this has been such an inspiring conversation. Your journey is a testament to resilience, passion, and the power of believing in yourself.

Thank you for sharing your story with us; you’re breaking barriers, rewriting the narrative for para-athletes, and showing all of us what’s possible when we refuse to let obstacles define us. I can’t wait to see what’s next for you on and off the track.