title: Shireen Sapiro
text: # Shireen Sapiro
  
  Shireen Sapiro (born 25 January 1991 in Krugersdorp) is a South African Paralympic swimmer, most notable for her performance at the 2008 Summer Paralympics, winning a gold medal for the 100 m backstroke. She also claimed a bronze medal at the London 2012 Paralympics in the 100m backstroke.
  
  On 9 April 2004, Sapiro was seriously injured in a waterskiing accident which resulted in her left leg being paralysed.
  
  At the 2009 Maccabiah Games, Sapiro was appointed flag bearer for the South African delegation at the opening ceremony. While Sapiro generally competes in Paralympic events, she competed in the open competition of the swimming events against able-bodied swimmers.
  
  ## Footnotes
  
  * ↑ "Telkom Swimming - When Dreams beckon and success calls". Rollinginspiration.co.za. 25 January 1991. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  * ↑ Ahren, Raphael. "Diehard South African swimmer takes the 'dis' out of 'disabled'". Ha'aretz. Retrieved 27 July 2009.
  