Italy's most recognizable Paralympic athlete has stepped away from wheelchair fencing to pursue a new challenge in para-athletics. At 29, Bebe Vio announced a transition from wheelchair fencing to focus on Paralympic athletics—specifically, the 100-meter dash. Speaking at the WEmbrace Games at Rome's Stadio dei Marmi, an inclusive sports festival organized by her own art4sport Association, Vio candidly acknowledged that she's "stealing advice from every single teammate" as she approaches this new discipline.
Why This Matters
• A rare career pivot: Vio is transitioning from wheelchair fencing to a discipline in which she's a newcomer, driven by chronic pain that prompted her exit from fencing.
• Los Angeles 2028 target: Her goal is to compete at the next Paralympics, less than 2 years away.
• A new beginning: Vio emphasizes this is a "first approach" to athletics, bringing renewed energy and curiosity to the sport.
From Fencing to the Track
Vio has had a distinguished fencing career and was the face of inclusive sport worldwide. But persistent physical issues pushed her to step away from the pedana and toward the track.
"I can't call it a career yet," Vio said at the WEmbrace Games, which she both organized and participated in as an athlete. "Right now, it's a first approach. I'm having so much fun because it's completely new, a whole new world, and I'm trying to steal advice from every one of the guys."
The shift is significant. Sprinting on racing prosthetics requires fundamentally different biomechanics than the explosive lunges and parries of wheelchair fencing. Vio must relearn balance, stride rhythm, and explosive power from a standing start—skills that demand dedicated training and practice.
The "High-Level Squad" She's Chasing
When asked if she had set a goal for her athletics debut, Vio was both humble and competitive: "Obviously, the goal is to do well. We've put together a squad of the highest level—it's up to me to keep up with them."
What This Means for Italian Paralympic Sport
Vio's transition is more than a personal challenge—it's a cultural statement in a country where Paralympic sport still fights for media coverage and sponsorship dollars relative to able-bodied athletics. Her presence on the track is expected to draw new audiences to para-athletics events and potentially unlock funding streams that have historically been limited.
Her mentorship role is already visible: Vio founded the Bebe Vio Academy to promote inclusive sport among young people with and without disabilities, and the WEmbrace Games are designed to blur the line between competitive and recreational sport.
The Mindset Behind the Transition
While sprint mechanics and wheelchair fencing are worlds apart, Vio brings intangible assets that few athletes transitioning between sports possess. Her competitive mental framework—honed through high-pressure athletic competition—translates to the intensity required in sprinting. Her body awareness, developed through years of specialized training, is another transferable strength.
"She doesn't accept compromise," those who follow her career have noted. That "hunger to always win" is now being channeled into a sport that demands relentless dedication and precision.
The 2028 Los Angeles Horizon
Vio has publicly set her sights on the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, a timeline that gives her roughly 24 months to refine her technique, build sprint-specific strength, and accumulate competitive experience.
Her approach to this new chapter reflects the same determination that defined her fencing career. At the WEmbrace Games, Vio embodied the inclusive ethos her art4sport Association promotes, bringing together athletes in mixed-ability teams and challenges designed to be accessible and inspiring.
But on the track, she's focused on performance. "The goal is to do well," she emphasized. And if her competitive spirit is any guide, doing well for Bebe Vio means approaching her new sport with the same excellence she brought to everything else.
