August 2, 2008

Carlos Leon

Posted: 03:17 PM ET

Carlos Leon, 24, is a member of the U.S. Paralympics Track and Field team.

I thought it would be all business when Carlos Leon was training for the Beijing Olympics at the Lakeshore Foundation in Birmingham, Alabama. No talking. No laughing. I was wrong. At first I gave Carlos his space when he was lifting and doing cardio. But, Carlos is full of soul and spunk even while he's doing his serious training. He even invited me to join in (although my weights were much lighter than his).

From a headshot or the right camera angle, you'd think Carlos is competing in discus at the Olympics. But, he's the first to emphasize that he will be in the Paralympics. The 24-year-old Iraq veteran became a quadriplegic while he was diving in Hawaii, celebrating being back in the states.

His physical setback has not squandered his dreams. He's focused enough to ban his parents from visiting him at the training facility where he now lives. But, he's humble and fun enough to let a camera crew in to hang out with him days before he's set to compete.

Update: Watch the CNN.com Live interview

Filed under: Amazing talents • Athletes • Olympics

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sandip

August 4th, 2008 10:41 am ET

Carlos Leon is a good disc thrower and has a good chance to achieve a gold medal.

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sandip

Maine Treatment Centers

Luis Danny Ariza

August 8th, 2008 4:03 pm ET

Carlos i wish you the best of luck and bring home the gold Buddy. Your buddies from broward county miss you.

sebastian m.

August 8th, 2008 7:30 pm ET

thats my cousin.!!!
good luck out there.
hold it down for the fam.

melia

August 13th, 2008 5:12 pm ET

Good Luck, Carlos! I hope you are enjoying Birmingham!

Kimberly Liu

August 26th, 2008 10:49 am ET

Mi viejo amigo Carlos. Good luck over there! It's so nice to see you full of energy & motivation to continue with your training, much better than when I last saw you in Hawaii. I know you will succeed in everything you propose yourself to do in life. Keep in touch once you get back.

Mark Ramsey MD

September 10th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

My brother had a diving accident and became a quadriplegic.. He was given opportunities to regain some quality of life, but didn't take them. I reallly wish he could have Carlos' drive and motivation.

penny

October 9th, 2008 8:07 am ET

good luck never give up on a dream

Jeff Pollock- Trainer for Sam Craven

November 23rd, 2008 7:35 pm ET

Carlos you are awesome. We will see you in 2012. Have you talked to Gabe or Dennis?

Its was great to wortk out with you 3 times on 2008. Hope to do it soon. Jeff Pollock

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Young People Who Rock is a weekly interview series focused on people under 30 - from CEOs to entertainers to athletes to community and political leaders - who are doing remarkable things. Nicole Lapin finds them and introduces them here by writing a weekly column that goes out in time for you to chime in before she interviews them Fridays on CNN.com Live.

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