Kingsport native headed to 2024 Paralympics

KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL)—Blake Leeper might be an Olympic-level track runner, but it wasn’t always obvious that he’d make it to the biggest stage in sports.

Leeper, 34, was born without his legs due to a congenital disability called Fibular Hemimelia.

“The doctors basically told me that I would never be able to walk and never be able to run,” said Leeper.

But Leeper was determined to accomplish the things he’d been told he’d never be able to do.

“I played basketball,” Leeper said. “I played baseball, I played for Dobyns-Bennett on my basketball team in Kingsport.”

After graduating high school, Leeper set off on a different path to become a doctor. However, his plans completely changed during college.

“I went to the University of Tennessee to be pre-med,” said Leeper. “I wanted to be an orthopedic surgeon. But that’s when I got an opportunity to become a Paralympian. I got my first pair of running blades.”

Leeper went on to train at the Olympic Training Center in San Diego and made his first Olympic team in 2012. He won a silver and bronze medal.

Following the 2012 games, Leeper became focused on his running, leading to record-breaking results.

“I broke the world record in the 4×100 relay,” said Leeper. “I broke the world record in the 400 meters, becoming the first double leg amputee ever to run under 45 seconds.”

While Leeper’s running career is strong, the journey wasn’t without roadblocks.

“People assume what I can and can’t do with my disability,” Leeper said. “They see that I’m missing my legs, so they automatically assume I cannot run. I would usually do some self-sabotage, being scared of who I actually can be.”

Leeper said he overcame these trials thanks to the support of his family.

“I have a family that supports me,” Leeper said. “I couldn’t ask for a better life now that I made the decision to try to be the best in the world.”

Although Leeper currently resides in California, he chooses to represent his hometown through it all.

“One of my favorite things that I love to do when I’m socially running,” said Leeper. “Internationally or on the world stage is, they always say, ‘Blake Leeper from Kingsport, Tennessee.’ I wouldn’t be in this position if not for the support from Kingsport.”

As Leeper prepares for his race in Paris, he wants others to know that anything is possible.

“The doctors told me I would never walk,” said Leeper. “And I’m running all around the world with my life. I’m in Finland; I’m about to go back to Paris, France, to compete at the Paralympic Games. So my message and my testimony is that anything is truly possible with the right mindset, with the right dreams, [and] with the right perception in life.”

The 2024 Paris Paralympic Games will kick off on August 28. Leeper said he is set to take to the track on September 6.

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