German Afghanistan war veteran set for Paralympics debut

German soldier Tim Focken tries to ignore that the Taliban have conquered Afghanistan again as he prepares for his shooting competition at the Paralympics on Saturday.

Focken was shot by the Taliban in a 2010 ambush while part of Germany’s military presence in the war-torn country, leaving his left arm paralysed.

He said the latest developments in Afghanistan have led “to a big sadness and fear” which he has tried to come to terms with via professional help from a psychologist.

The war veteran said this was because “I couldn’t focus on sports any more.”

Focken is the first German soldier wounded in action to participate at the Paralympics.

This came after a sports group for disabled people was set up by the armed forces some 18 months after he was shot.

“It is my big hope that one or two in the group are wounded soldiers,” then Defence minister Thomas de Maiziere said at the time.

Focken is making this come true and he says “it is unbelievable to represent Germany here.”

He joined the sports group in 2014 as officials believed he would have good results in spite of no competition history.

Focken improved over the years in spite of various setbacks and on Saturday hopes to make the final, possibly even medal.

Family life has suffered a bit owing to the training while Focken has come to terms with his fate.

“It is my fate since I have accepted it. I stopped asking 'why?’. I accepted it. It is the way it is,” he said.