Even at 54 years old, Andrea Eskau is an integral part of the Paralympic stage. She is already playing her ninth games in Milan and Cortina. She hasn’t been interested in medals for a long time.
When Andrea Eskau took part in the Paralympic Games for the first time in Beijing in 2008, Maya Fügenschuh wasn’t even born yet. 18 years later, the now 17-year-old para-alpine skier is about to make her Paralympics debut. And Eskau is still there too.
At the age of 54, the USC Magdeburg athlete is competing in her ninth Paralympic Games in Milan and Cortina. Only former para-athlete Martina Willing can boast more participation in summer and winter games in Germany.
Eskau’s record is extraordinary. She is one of the few athletes in the world to have won gold at both the Summer and Winter Games. The wheelchair athlete has been shaping international para sports for more than two decades – in handbikes in the summer, cross-country skiing and biathlon in the winter. So far she has collected 15 Paralympics medals, including eight gold ones – no one in Germany has more.
Andrea Eskau (center) won gold in the road race at the 2008 Paralympic Summer Games in Beijing
Eskau is reinventing itself in sports
The qualified psychologist has been paralyzed since 1998 due to a bicycle accident. Since then, she has repeatedly managed to reinvent herself in sports. After just a few months of training, she competed at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver – and immediately won silver and bronze. As the pressure in competitive sports grew, she continually adapted her training methods and was not afraid to learn from younger athletes.
Conversely, Eskau has long served as a guide for young Germans in para sports. She can draw on an enormous wealth of experience, both athletically and mentally. This is probably why she found remarkable words in the run-up to the games about the controversial participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes, who will also compete in cross-country skiing.
Criticism of participation by Russia and Belarus
“Two very young Russian athletes have been admitted. I don’t mean them any harm and I wish them great games.”she said. One would have the athletes from Russia and Belarus “It didn’t do us any favors to start under our own flag. Positioning themselves neutrally, competing neutrally in sports, would have been the only way to show that they don’t want war.“
Now the athletes would “practically abused“to lead their countries back to sporting success on the international stage.”They should win and show their starting symbols“, criticized Eskau: “This is very difficult for such young people.“
On the other hand, she also feels for the traditionally strong Ukrainian cross-country skiers. It is entirely possible that athletes from both nations will stand on the podium together – and then the Russian anthem may be heard. Eskau fears a scandal in this case: “No Ukrainian will stand by and listen to the Russian anthem.“
“My happiness in life does not depend on a medal”
In terms of sport, Eskau has a busy competition schedule ahead of him in Tesero. She wants to compete in all individual races – three times in biathlon and three times in cross-country skiing. There are only a few days to recover between competitions, so regeneration is the top priority.
However, she doesn’t feel any pressure. Why? Medals are no longer their primary motivation. The fact that she is still competitive at almost 55 years old and has managed to stay at the top for decades is telling enough.
“My happiness in life does not depend on a medal“says Eskau, who was the German flag bearer in Pyeongchang in 2018.”I don’t have to prove anything to anyone. The drive comes from the joy of sport.“It’s much more important to her this time to be able to compete not far away from home in front of friends and family.”That was once again a worthwhile goal for me.”
This is how para cross-country skiing works
Para cross-country skiing is divided into three categories: “visually impaired”, “sitting” and “standing”. Wheelchair users and athletes with severe walking disabilities use a sit-ski. Visually impaired athletes are supported by a support runner. Women and men will compete in the classic sprint, 10 km classic and 20 km skating at the 2026 Paralympics in Tesero. There are also two relay competitions in which athletes from different categories compete together in one team.
