Orazio Fagone

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Orazio Fagone, born November 13, 1968, in Catania, Italy, is an Italian athlete who started as a short track speed skater and later competed in para-sports. He took part in three Winter Olympics as a speed skater: 1988 (in demonstration events), 1992 and 1994. In 1988 he won a bronze in the 1500 meters and helped Italy win silver in the 5000 meter relay. In 1992 he finished eighth in the 5000 m relay and 24th in the 1000 m. In 1994 Lillehammer, he was part of the Italian team that won gold in the 5000 m relay; he also finished 15th in the 1000 m and 31st in the 500 m.

In 1997, after a motorcycle accident, Fagone had his right leg amputated. He then moved to para-sports, playing sledge hockey and wheelchair curling. He competed for Italy in the 2006 Winter Paralympics in sledge hockey. He is one of the few Winter Olympians to also compete in the Paralympics, and the first who competed as a disabled athlete (the other two had served as sighted guides). He also played wheelchair curling, with appearances at the World Wheelchair Championship in 2004 and 2005.