Nantenin Keita

Nantenin is a visually impaired Franco-Malian athlete living with albinism. She has already won four medals in the Paralympic Games. Her personal story has led her to use her success as a force for good. She takes action and advocates for people with albinism’s rights in France and Africa. She sees sport as an important vehicle for change, allowing people to reach their potential and accomplish incredible feats, with or without disabilities, helping to foster inclusion.
 
At the age of two, Nantenin left Mali, where she was born, to flee from the persecution she received due to her albinism – a condition her father also shares that leads to sight deficiencies. A keen athlete, Nantenin played several sports growing up, including handball and basketball, before discovering athletics through a competition for the visually impaired. Today, she runs without a guide but with determination. 
 
An inspiring athlete and social advocate, she's awarded the French Légion d’Honneur in 2016. She founded the Salif and Nantenin Keita association, an organization dedicated to albino children and people with albinism. Its ambition is to improve the living conditions of albino people by facilitating access to schooling and healthcare, while deconstructing beliefs that lead to discrimination and crimes in Africa. The foundation also aims to protect the health of people living with albinism by distributing sunscreen, hats and sunglasses to children in Mali. 

• Triple World Champion in 200-meter (2006) and 400-meter (2006 & 2015).
• Silver and bronze winner for the 200-meter and 400-meter visual impairment categories at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Pekin.
• Won Bronze in 100-meter at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London.
• Won gold in the 400-meter visual impairment category at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games.