Dieng Aiming To Replicate His Global Games Success At Paris 2024

Ndiaga Dieng, two-time Virtus Global Games Champion and Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Bronze medalist is all set to compete at Paris 2024. Affectionately known as “Chenga,” embodies the spirit of perseverance and triumph. Hailing from Italy, Dieng clinched the bronze medal in the 1500m event at Tokyo 2020. He won first place in the 800m and 1500m races at the Virtus Global Games in 2019 and also dominated the 800m and 1500m races again in Vichy 2023 along with gold in the Men’s II1 4x100m relay.  

Originally from Senegal, Ndiaga’s path to athletic greatness was not without its challenges.  

“In Senegal, I attended a Quran school before coming here and stayed with my grandparents and uncles. I wasn’t doing well in school and causing a bit of trouble so my aunt called my dad and asked him to bring me here to Italy. So, my father did the paperwork and brought me here. My family was already here, I stayed with my grandparents and uncles, and as soon as I arrived in Italy,” Chenga told Virtus.  

Arriving in Italy in 2012, he found comfort in sports, particularly football, amidst the transition to a new country and culture. However, it was athletics that captured his heart, thanks to the encouragement of his coach Maurizio and the support of Virtus Italy- FISDIR. Ndiega received his international eligibility with Virtus in January 2018, which opened doors for her at the international para-sports competitions. 

Despite facing initial doubts and uncertainties, Ndiaga’s commitment to his skills propelled him forward. His relentless pursuit of excellence, coupled with unwavering dedication, saw him rise to the podium at prestigious competitions like the Virtus Global Games, World Championships and the Paralympic Games. 

Reflecting on his journey, Ndiaga credits his brother Mohamed as his biggest fan and source of motivation. He acknowledges the support of federations like FISDIR, whose unwavering assistance helped pave the way for his success. 

Looking ahead to Paris 2024, Ndiaga sets his sights on new heights, aiming to bring glory to Italy once again. With determination in his heart and a fierce competitive spirit, he faces the challenges head-on, ready to conquer new milestones.  

“I didn’t think I would get to represent Italy one day on international stages like Virtus Global Games or Paralympic Games. I didn’t take this (athletics) seriously, then gradually, since I was getting good results, I thought: Why don’t I focus better, to see what I can do?” My goal for Paris 2024 is to replicate my win from the 2023 Virtus Global Games, get on the podium and raise the Italian flag as high as possible, both in the 400 meters and the 1500 meters.” 

Beyond the accolades and medals, Ndiaga’s story serves as an inspiration to young athletes with intellectual impairments. His message to younger athletes with intellectual impairment is simple yet powerful: Never give up, for anything worth achieving never comes easy. 

As we applaud Ndiaga Dieng, let his journey remind us that with perseverance, resilience, and unwavering determination, anything is possible. Here’s to chasing dreams and defying odds – just like Chenga. 

WHAT IS INTELLECTUAL IMPAIRMENT? 

Intellectual impairment is an umbrella term to describe a vast and neuro-diverse group of people with varying types of cognitive impairments including intellectual disability, Down syndrome and autism. Having an intellectual impairment impacts how an athlete understands the rules of the sport, interacts with other players, and adjusts to different environments. They might find it difficult to manage reaction times, remember specific race or game strategies, retain focus for long period of time, or maintaining impulse control.