Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Freddie De Los Santos moved to the United States in 1986 and worked as a graphic designer at New York University. Following the 9/11 attacks, De Los Santos made the life-changing decision to join the U.S. Army.
On October 20, 2009, while serving in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, his vehicle was struck by rocket fire. He sustained serious injuries and ultimately lost his right leg above the knee. During his rehabilitation, he discovered handcycling, a sport that became both a physical outlet and a new passion.
De Los Santos represented the U.S. at the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, earning a bronze medal in the mixed team relay in Tokyo. He has also competed at multiple UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships, with his best result being a silver medal in the team relay in 2017. He continues to compete at a high level, finishing fourth in the H5 road race at the 2023 World Championships.
In addition to his athletic pursuits, De Los Santos is a dedicated artist. He creates abstract paintings that reflect his psychological experiences from combat, blending his love for art with his personal journey. Whether through graphic design or painting, he channels his resilience and creativity into powerful visual stories.
He is married to Jeanette De Los Santos and remains a passionate advocate for veterans, athletes, and artists alike.
