Olympic Heroes: Paula Pareto

Paula Pareto was the winner of the gold medat at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games in the -48 kg category. Pareto is the first and only Argentinian woman to win Olympic gold to date, across all sports. IJF’s Jo Crowley spoke to the Argentine if her medal changed her and her life.

The 2016 -48 kg Olympic final

“For me it’s really the character that makes a person achieve any kind of goal or achievement, whether a gold medal or a diploma or whatever, sporting or personal. In my case, I believe everyone is born with some of the character but it was the combination of the different parts of my whole life, family, friends, work team, all helping me to achieve the goals I had. Throughout all parts of my life, the construction of the sporting life and family life produced this achievement.

I have a hard mind and I am strong willed. With that, united with a great working team, you can achieve a lot.”

Why Paula Pareto though? Everyone at the Olympic Games has shown commitment, a work ethic, great skill. Why was it you who won gold in the end?

“I had a greater will to win than a fear of losing and that is absolutely what kept me going during training. My coaches brought this mantra throughout my career, to be less afraid to lose.”

Did the medal change you?

“No! The medal didn’t change me as a person. If you change because of a medal, perhaps you were fighting for the wrong reasons all along, so no, there has been no change at all.

I never thought I would be part of an Olympic Games so imagine winning one! I always kept going, giving 100% today and tomorrow 100% more, always trying to be better than yesterday. Sometimes you cannot plan; sometimes it’s your day and sometimes not but you must keep doing the best you can. Sport is hard and judo offers no way to know in advance, no matter how much you prepare. I would do it all again though. It was really hard but the harder it is, the greater the party. It was the whole team’s victory, an achievement for the whole team, for Argentina."

"I also always say to the younger judoka in Argentina, it’s not about how long you train but about how much passion you put into training and the persistence you have to keep going. In the end it’s the one who is willing to stay to the end with all their heart who can reach the top.”

Paula Pareto was elected to the IOC in July 2024.