Following their victories in the Olympics and Paralympics, Hunter Woodhall and his wife Tara Davis-Woodhall visited Shriner's Hospital where the paralympian's journey into running first took flight. Tara and Hunter became the first wife and husband to win gold medals at the same Olympics and Paralympics.
While Davis-Woodhall claimed a gold medal in the women's long jump at the Paris Olympics, Woodhall secured a gold and a bronze medal in the men's 400m T62 and mixed 4x100m relay events. Born with fibular hemimelia, a condition that hinders the development of lower limbs, he underwent an amputation operation at just 11 months old, losing both legs below the knees.
The decision was taken on the recommendation of doctors from the Shriner's Hospital. The medical institution provided medical care and crafted his first pair of running blades when the five-time Paralympic medalist developed his passion for competitive running.
To honor and express his gratitude towards the facility that laid the foundation for his glorious victories, Woodhall paid a visit to the center along with his Olympian wife and made a generous donation of $10,000.
He took to social media to share a few pictures from his recent visit and wrote,
"What an honor to come back to the hospital where my running career started," he wrote. "Shriners Children’s has always taken a chance on me, believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself."
He added:
"Can’t express how grateful I am to return as Paralympic Champion and share the importance of dreaming big and working hard. These kids are the future. Thank you Shriners Children ❤️"
The couple was seen racing with the young patients at the Shriner's Hospital.
Shriner's Hospital reflects on Hunter Woodhall's journey from receiving his first prosthetics to competing at the Paralympics
Hunter Woodhall made his third appearance at the Paralympics in Paris after competing in the 2016 Rio and 2020 Tokyo Games.
Before heading to the Games, Shriner's Hospital reflected on the Paralympian's journey from a young, inspired athlete to an Olympic competitor. The video shows Hunter undergoing medical treatment as a child, his exploration of golf and basketball, and his progression from competing in the NCAA circuit to bagging Olympic medals.
The prosthetic team at the hospital designed a running blade for the first time after Woodhall expressed his wish to compete in a 5K race. Sharing the video, the medical institution conveyed their pride and wrote,
"We’re incredibly proud of Hunter—not just for his amazing track career, but for the person he is off the track."
Hunter Woodhall clinched his first Paralympic gold medal in Paris after clocking a stunning 46.36 seconds in the men's 400m T62.