In Noah Malone's life, the sound of the track not only marks the steps of his career, in any case, it is also the heartbeat of a story filled with effort and unconditional love—a bond between him and his mother—. The young star of US Paralympic athletics is now a celebrated champion, though his success isn't just the result of his natural talent; much of it can be attributed to the persistence and dedication of his mother, LaTasha Sturdivant. "She was the one who pushed me when I didn't want to keep going," Malone admits with a sincerity that reflects the deep connection he has with his family.

Malone, a native of Indiana, discovered at a young age that he had Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy, a genetic disease that affects central vision and has no specific cure. This diagnosis could undoubtedly have stopped his career before it even began, but that’s when the driving force of his life—his mother—took control. Despite Noah's preference for basketball, LaTasha signed him up for a track club after noticing his speed while running around their yard. "At first, I didn’t even like it," the sprinter confesses, "but my mom never stopped pushing me towards my goals," he recalls with a slight smile.

Time passed, and now, at 22 years old, with several medals hanging around his neck, Malone has shown that that push has paid off. In Paris, during the Paralympic Games, the sprinter returned to the podium, winning gold in the T12 100 meters and silver in the 400 meters under a torrential downpour at the Stade de France. His joy, as vast as the horizon where he plants his feet, was immediately directed towards his family, who couldn’t celebrate with him in Tokyo due to Covid restrictions but were present this time to share in his victories.

"I ran straight to them after the race," Malone said after finishing second with a time of 49.35 seconds, behind Moroccan Mouncef Bouja. "They're the real winners. I’m just here doing my thing, but they're the ones who really got me to this point." These words, laden with emotion, show that for Malone, all the victories he achieves are secondary to him. A humble leader, he views these triumphs as collective, starting with a young boy’s dreams and his mother’s sacrifices. Thus, Noah Malone's journey, forged by sacrifice, speed, and the unconditional love of his family, continues to stretch toward a golden future.

The young athlete’s day is far from over, with the potential to add another medal in the 4x100 meters relay. His focus hasn’t wavered. While he admits that the pressure of individual competitions makes him nervous, his love for team sports, born from his passion for basketball, allows him to find peace when it comes to relays. "When it’s a team, the nerves go down. It’s different when I’m out there alone," he explains, revealing that this dynamic helps him approach the challenge with more calm.

Nonetheless, Malone is part of a new generation of US Paralympic athletes that promises a bright future. Alongside emerging talents like Ezra Frech and Jaydin Blackwell, both medalists in their respective events, Malone envisions a young and powerful team, ready to continue reaping success in the years to come. "The talent is there," he says confidently, highlighting the strong performance of Team USA in Paris and the promising future for the Los Angeles 2028 Games, where they hope to dominate the competition with their skills.

Even so, Noah admits that the competitions have pushed him to his limits. With a tight schedule that has seen him compete in six races in a matter of days, the time to enjoy his success has been minimal. "It’s a rollercoaster of emotions—stressful moments, highs and lows... But in the end, you have to remember that not everyone gets this chance," he reflects. Despite the exhaustion, Malone acknowledges his privilege. "This only happens every four years, and not everyone wins medals, so it’s a victory just being here."