Shot putter Lara Baars finds sponsor in Reggeborgh Foundation
These are hectic days for Lara Baars. Last week, the shot putter was voted Parasport Woman of the Year. Yesterday, she signed a contract with her new sponsor, Reggeborgh Foundation. ‘It's wonderful recognition. I'm very happy about it,’ says Baars, who is celebrating her birthday today and has turned 29.
In addition to the Green Apples programme, in which Reggeborgh Foundation already supports many different talented athletes and para-athletes, Reggeborgh sports family is now being expanded with the Toppers category. The athletes included in the Toppers category have already proven themselves at a high level in their sport.
‘We were surprised that Lara did not have a sponsor despite her status as a world and Paralympic champion,’ says Inge Wessels of Reggeborgh Foundation. ‘We want to offer equal opportunities to both able-bodied and para-athletes. Lara is a dedicated athlete who practises her sport with great professionalism. She is a figurehead for her sport. We experienced this ourselves during the FBK Games in Hengelo this year. We are incredibly proud that Lara is joining our family of athletes.’
Palmares Lara Baars
- Bronze kogelstoten F40 (Paralympic Games 2016)
- Gold shot putter F40 (Paralympic Games 2024)
- Worldrecordholder kogelstoten F40.
- Paralympic sport woman of 2025
Lara Baars has A status from the NOC*NSF. ‘That's a great income for my monthly expenses such as rent and groceries. Thanks to Reggeborgh's support, I can now also finance my sports-related expenses, such as training camps, travel costs and sportswear,’ explains Baars, who has dwarfism.
Three years ago, she moved to Stuttgart, Germany, for a change of trainer. The shot putter lives and trains there, with most of her competitions spread across Germany, the Netherlands and France. ‘I've always worked alongside my sport, because I also consider my social career important, but my top-level sport is definitely number one.’
‘If all goes well and I stay healthy, I want to defend my 2024 Paralympic title there. I'm going for it. The recognition as an athlete and new support from Reggeborgh Foundation are helping me enormously in this endeavour.’
- Lara Baars
The Paralympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028 are Lara Baars' next big goal. After Rio, Tokyo and Paris, these will be the fourth Games for the Groesbeek native. ‘If all goes well and I stay healthy, I want to defend my 2024 Paralympic title there. I'm going for it. The recognition as an athlete and new support from Reggeborgh Foundation are helping me enormously in this endeavour.’
