US Swimmers Shine at Paris 2024 Paralympics Amid Controversy
The swimming finals at the Paris 2024 Paralympics saw stellar performances from US swimmers, with Ellie Marks, Christie Raleigh-Crossley, and Grace Nuhfer all earning silver medals.
Ellie Marks added another silver to her collection with a time of 32.90 seconds in the women’s 50-meter freestyle S6 final. This is her second consecutive silver in the event, contributing to her impressive total of six Paralympic medals across three Games. Marks, who describes herself as an “accidental athlete” due to her initial foray into swimming for rehabilitation, will compete in additional events including the SM6 200 individual medley and the 50 butterfly.
Christie Raleigh-Crossle, who set a world record in the preliminary heat of the 50 freestyle S9, finished second in the final behind China’s Yi Chen. Despite her remarkable achievement, Raleigh-Crossley faced significant backlash. She reported receiving harsh criticism and verbal harassment from fellow athletes and online detractors questioning the legitimacy of her disability classification.
Raleigh-Crossley, who has a complex medical history including severe injuries and a brain tumor removed in 2018, shared her distress over the controversy. “To be told online by all of these bullies that I’m somehow not as disabled as I appear just because I can swim faster than them is pretty devastating,” she said. She had to meet with an athlete safety representative to address these concerns.
The events underscore ongoing debates about classification in para sports, highlighting the emotional and psychological challenges athletes face in addition to their physical trials.
