Snellville's Santiago Sanz, Paralympic Athlete, Speaks from Boston Marathon

Paralympian Santiago Sanz confirmed to Snellville Patch that he was a participant in the Boston Marathon when the double explosion took place this afternoon.

"I heard the explosions after I finished the marathon from my room," he told Patch through direct message on Twitter. He hopes to be back in Snellville tomorrow, April 16, where he will train at Eagle Sports Chairs. "I would love to be there now," he added. 

He won the Marathon's wheelchair event in the quad division. 

Originally from Spain, his wheelchair was crafted by local Snellville business Eagle Sports Chairs. He was named as the Spanish Paralympic Committee's Athlete of the Year for 2006 and participated in the Paralympics in 2000 and 2004. He has also won four World Championship titles, according to his personal website. 

"Hope the explosions at the @bostonmarathon do not have any victims," he posted on Twitter around 4 p.m. on April 15. "I heard from my hotel room two big noises."

"Somewhat stunned by what has happened," he added. 

(Editor's note: his Tweets have been translated from Spanish.)

If you are looking for a friend or family member who participated in the marathon, call 617-635-4500 or click here. 

For further reading: Former Gwinnett County Commissioner Not Hurt in Explosions at Boston Marathon