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El Salvador Athletes Make Winter Paralympics Debut Together

3/7/2026

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Summary

Story summary

David Chávez (El Salvador Paralympic athlete) and Jonathan Arias (El Salvador Paralympic athlete) are competing in Winter Paralympics for the first time.
In the 2010s, Chávez was injured in a robbery and Arias was paralyzed in gang crossfire.
Rehabilitation led them to sports, where they met and formed a friendship.
American coach Rob Powers helped establish ONETEAM El Salvador, enabling their cross-country skiing training.

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Story summary

David Chávez (El Salvador Paralympic athlete) and Jonathan Arias (El Salvador Paralympic athlete) are competing in Winter Paralympics for the first time.
In the 2010s, Chávez was injured in a robbery and Arias was paralyzed in gang crossfire.
Rehabilitation led them to sports, where they met and formed a friendship.
American coach Rob Powers helped establish ONETEAM El Salvador, enabling their cross-country skiing training.