Paralympic Games: Swimmers to Watch During 10 Days of Competition in Paris
With the 2024 Paralympic Games set to begin, the world’s top athletes will take center stage at La Defense Arena in Paris.
The Paralympic swimming competition runs from Aug. 29 through Sept. 7.
The U.S. has 23 returning Paralympians from its 33-athlete roster. Several world record holders return from the U.S. and other countries around the world. Here are a few swimmers to watch at the Paralympics:
Jessica Long, USA
One of the faces of the Paralympics, Long is 16-time Paralympic champion and 33-time world champion.
Three years ago in Tokyo, Long had one of her best performances, claiming six medals including golds in the S8 200 IM and 100 butterfly.
This is Long’s sixth Paralympic Games where she continues to inspire.
Simone Barlaam, Italy
Barlaam earned four Paralympic medals in Tokyo, including 50 freestyle gold in the S9 category, and has 18 world championship gold medals to his name.
He was close to the podium in several events in Tokyo as well and will look to make those swims medals performances in Paris.
Aurelie Rivard, Canada
Canada’s most decorated Paralympic swimmer, Rivard is headed to her fourth Paralympics.
Rivard has three world records and has won five gold medals, all in individual freestyle events, and 10 medals overall in her Paralympic career. She is eying another big splash in Paris.
Ugo Didier, France
Looking to draw energy from the home crowd, Didier is coming off of a win in the Citi Para Swimming World Series in the 100 backstroke.
He is a Paralympic medalist, having finished top-three in the 400 free and 200 IM in Tokyo, and will look to add to that haul in his home country.
Agathe Pauli, France
Pauli won the 100 freestyle at the Citi Para Swimming World Series and will look to repeat that feat in the Paralympics, with the gome crowd providing support.
Alice Tai, Great Britain
After claiming a gold medal in Rio in 2016, Tai missed the Tokyo games because of an injury.
She is back and looking to add to her legacy after earning nine World Championships gold medals during her career.
Elena Krawzow, Germany
The German swimmer won a world title in 2023 just months after successful treatment for a brain tumor.
She still holds the world record in the 100 breaststroke in the SB12 class.
Gabriel Araujo, Brazil
Araujo totaled two gold medals at the Tokyo Games and won three world titles in 2023 in the S2 category.
Rogier Dorsman, Netherlands
In Tokyo, Dorsman won three gold medals in his Paralympic debut.
He followed that up with two golds at the 2023 World Championships and looks to keep the momentum rolling.