Chapecoense crash survivor Follmann eyes Paralympics

Chapecoense air crash survivor Jackson Follmann has revealed a desire to compete in the Paralympics as a swimmer.

Follmann, 25, was one of the six survivors of last November's accident in Colombia, which killed 71 people, including 19 of his teammates and all of the Brazilian football club's coaching staff, reports Xinhua news agency.

"I need more time but I want to swim," Follmann told Brazil's SporTV on Monday.

"It's a great sport because it has low impact. I can't run. At the most I can jog. Swimming could allow me to come back, to have a more healthy life. I'm anxious to compete again."

Follmann, who had the lower half of his right leg amputated, has 80 per cent movement in his left ankle, which is held together by a six-inch titanium rod and four screws.

He said he still attends Chapecoense's matches and training sessions, which goes someway to satisfying his desire to return to competitive sport.

"I can't get used to the idea of being a former sportsperson," he said. "It's still very early to be talking about the Paralympics. I only had surgery six or seven months ago. I need to respect my body because I suffered 13 fractures."

--IANS

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