The Paralympian who tried to represent Iceland at Eurovision

Article by Troy Turner

Image: Már Gunnarsson Instagram

Már Gunnarsson is on a mission to make us all feel like we should be up off the couch and doing better at life.

Not only did Már land a third place with his sister as part of duo Amorosis at Söngvakeppnin 2022, Iceland’s national selection competition, but he has just competed at the Paralympics in Paris.

When he isn’t tinkling the keys in the Eurovision spotlight and studying music at the prestigious Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, he’s training hard in the pool.

Swimming inspires his music

Már, who was born with genetic sight disorder LCA (Leber Congentials Amaurosis), says he wrote Amorsis’ third-place-getter Don’t You Know while in the pool.

“It actually came to me underwater!” Már said. 

“At the time, I was going through some typical and annoying dating drama, and I was feeling kind of down."

“I remember diving into the swimming pool and, as I was underwater, the melody and lyrics to the chorus of the song came to me. I often get all kinds of ideas when I’m swimming and sadly I don’t have any method to record them, but sometimes I remember them.”

At Iceland's national final in 2022, the song placed third behind Systur with their song Með hækkandi sól.

Paralympics

While his favourite and best event, the 200m backstroke was not offered at the Paris Paralympics, Már competed in the 100m S11 class making the final and placing seventh with a time of 1:10.21.

This was his second Paralympics, having competed at Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Japan.

In Tokyo, he placed 5th in the 100m backstroke S11 event and 8th in the 200m individual medley in the SM11 class.

His best results came at the World Para Swimming Championships in 2019 where he won a bronze in the 100m backstroke.

Despite missing a medal in Paris, he was incredibly proud of his efforts. Sharing this update on Instagram:

"Being a Paralympian is a special thing, and now I can call myself a two times Paralympian. Today I swam the fastest I’ve ever swam in my life, which so happened to break the Icelandic record and delivered me seventh place in the final. Having already quit swimming, started again, moved alone to a new country, started a university degree. I am proud to be once more among the best."

"Now I will enjoy having a couple days rest before I dive headfirst into my next project which is going on a tour with the Royal Northern College of Music session orchestra in November. Honestly guys, you’ve been amazing, thank you for all the wonderful comments. All the beautiful messages, I read it all."

Advocate

Már uses his platform to highlight challenges blind people encounter in day-to-day life, helping to raise awareness of how we can improve accessibility for people with disabilities. He’s been drawing attention to the UK’s new regulations that have prevented him from travelling with his guide dog, Max. 

“It feels as though Max and I are trapped in a never-ending nightmare; every time we defeat one monster, a bigger and uglier one emerges,” he shared on Instagram.  

Not trained by one of the UK’s approved organisations, Már and Max have been barred from entering the UK by plane. 

“Due to new regulations imposed by the UK government, it is now completely impossible for me, as an Icelandic citizen with an Icelandic/Swedish guide dog, to enter the UK by air.”  

Már is also one of just 42 known LGBT athletes at the Paralympics. He came out during an interview on Icelandic TV.

Már explained the positive impact this has had on him.

"This immediately became breaking news and changed my life. The reaction from the Icelandic nation was incredible, with so many beautiful comments on social media and private messages from people showing me support."

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